Man who kept mother’s body in freezer and collected £78k of her benefits jailed

He was sentenced today

Appearing at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court today (3 August), Christopher Phillips, 60, admitted to three offences.

These included failing to lawfully and decently bury his mother and continuing to claim her pension and benefits including housing benefits and winter fuel allowances.

South Wales Police released a statement confirming his sentencing.

The body of his mother, Sylvia Phillips was discovered by police officers in a freezer in Porthcawl, Bridgend county in February, with Christopher being arrested.

It was revealed that she had died in March 2023.

Sylvia was wrapped in a leopard silk blanket with roses on her body, as well as a birthday card signed from Christopher and the family dog Tina.

The card read: "To Mum, from Christopher and Tina."

The BBC report that Phillips had told doctors that he "did not want to let her go" and "wanted more time" after her death.

Phillips admitted to claiming his mother's pension as well as housing benefits and winter fuel allowances.

He was sentenced to two years and four months in prison.

Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court was told that Phillips was "exceptionally close" to his mother who had adopted him when he was two-years-old.

Phillips bought a chester freezer two days after his mother's death and placed it in the dining room of the semi-detached house where she remained until being discovered.

The court heard Phillips moved downstairs to sleep next to his mother's body and would occasionally open the freezer and hold her hand or speak to her "as if she was still alive".

The defence described Phillips as a "vulnerable individual".

Police had investigated the home after her GP requested a welfare check.

The court was told that the local medical practice had repeatedly tried to contact her but were denied access by her son.

Sylvia had had 26 GP appointments in 2021 and six in 2022, with no further contact afterwards.

Sylvia's body was frozen solid when she was found meaning a post-mortem was not immediately possible.

Despite the pathologist not determining a cause of death, there are not thought to be suspicious circumstances around her death.

He had been her primary carer since 2008 and the pair were described as "somewhat isolated".

The judge added that a timescale for confiscation proceedings would follow.