A man and woman have been charged with fraud and obstructing a lawful burial as part of a police investigation into the business practices of a Gosport Funeral Directors.

Richard Elkin, 48, and Hayley Bell, 41, of Gosport will appear in court after Hampshire Police investigated a report made on December 10, 2023 at 10:45 a.m.

A Hampshire Police Spokesperson said: “This is a complex investigation which police worked with the families concerned throughout, before submitting a file to the Crown Prosecution Service in June this year.

“We have now secured charges against two people in connection with this investigation, and we urge the public not to speculate on the circumstances in order to allow the criminal justice process to take its course without any hindrance. »

The two men were accused of intentionally causing a public nuisance between June 27, 2022 and December 11, 2023, of preventing the illegal burial of a corpse between November 3, 2023 and December 11, 2023 and of operating a business fraudulently between August 10, 2022 and December 11, 2023. December 11, 2023.

Elkin was also charged with possessing pepper spray and making and using a fake instrument with the intent to believe it to be authentic.

They have been released on bail and will appear at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court on December 19.

The rest follows this breaking news…