Two people have been charged with preventing the lawful and decent burial of a body as part of a police investigation into a funeral parlour.

Police launched the case after receiving a report about the business at 10.45am on Sunday, December 10, 2023.

A police spokesperson said: "This has been a complex investigation in which police have engaged with the affected families throughout, before submitting a file to the Crown Prosecution Service in June this year.

"We have now secured charges for two people in this investigation, and we urge the public not to speculate on the circumstances in order to allow the criminal justice process to run its course without any impediment."

This follows a report to police at 10.45am on Sunday, December 10, 2023.

Richard Elkin, aged 48, of Nobes Avenue in Gosport, has been charged with:

  • Intentionally or recklessly causing a public nuisance between June 27, 2022 and December 11, 2023.
  • Preventing the lawful and decent burial of a dead body between November 3, 2023 and December 11, 2023.
  • Carrying on a business with intent to defraud creditors/for other fraudulent purpose between August 10, 2022 and December 11, 2023.
  • Making a false instrument with intent for it to be accepted as genuine.
  • Using a false instrument with intent for it to be accepted as genuine.
  • Possession of an offensive weapon for the discharge of a noxious liquid or gas, namely pepper spray.

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Hayley Bell, aged 41, of Nobes Avenue in Gosport has been charged with:

  • Intentionally or recklessly causing a public nuisance between June 27, 2022 and December 11, 2023.
  • Preventing the lawful and decent burial of a dead body between November 3, 2023 and December 11, 2023.
  • Carrying on a business with intent to defraud creditors/for other fraudulent purpose between August 10, 2022 and December 11, 2023.

They have both been bailed with conditions to appear at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, December 19.