Son admits storing body of his mum in chest freezer at home

A man has admitted preventing the lawful and decent burial of his mother after her body was discovered in a chest freezer at her home.

The body of Sylvia Phillips, 89, was found by officers from South Wales Police in February at Poplar Crescent, Porthcawl.

Cardiff Crown Court was told on Thursday that Sylvia Phillips died some time in 2023.

Her son Christopher Phillips, 60, also admitted two counts of fraud for failing to inform the Department for Work and Pensions and Bridgend council of her death.

On Wednesday, an inquest was told a pathologist was not able to identify the cause of death and investigations were continuing.

Sylvia Phillips body was discovered after her GP asked police to conduct a welfare check.

Her son will be sentenced on 2 June, and Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke told him he had admitted extremely serious offences.