Trial date set for pair charged with fraud after funeral directors police probe Two people are to face trial charged with fraud and preventing lawful burial following a police investigation into a funeral directors.
Speaking after the two defendants, who ran Elkin and Bell Funerals in Gosport, were charged, a Hampshire Constabulary spokesman 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.
Judge Michael Bowes KC set a trial date of November 17 and released the two defendants on conditional bail with a further hearing to be held on May 12.
Richard Elkin, 48, and Hayley Bell, 41, both of Nobes Avenue, Gosport, appeared at Portsmouth Crown Court where they entered not guilty pleas to a series of charges.
Elkin also entered not guilty pleas to having pepper spray and making and using a false instrument with intent for it to be believed as genuine.
