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UK man jailed for keeping mother’s body in freezer to claim benefits

Christopher Phillips, 60, received nearly £80,000 in benefits while keeping his 89-year-old mother’s body in a freezer for nearly three years.

·1 min read·2 outlets

The short version

A British man was jailed for fraud after police found his 89-year-old mother’s body in a freezer at their home. Christopher Phillips, 60, had received nearly £80,000 in benefits while concealing her death for nearly three years.

Christopher Phillips, 60, pleaded guilty to fraud and preventing a lawful burial.2,1 Police found the body of Phillips’ 89-year-old mother, Sylvia Phillips, in a freezer at their home in Porthcawl, south Wales.2,1 Phillips’ mother died in March 2023, but he kept her body in the freezer until his arrest in February 2026.1

Phillips had received nearly £80,000 (US$108,000) in welfare benefits while concealing his mother’s death.1 The fraud charges stemmed from Phillips claiming benefits to which he was not entitled after his mother’s death.2,1

Why it matters

  • Welfare benefits in the UK are government payments to individuals who meet specific eligibility criteria, such as age or income.1

  • Preventing a lawful and decent burial is a criminal offense in the UK, punishable by imprisonment.2,1

This account was written from the 2 reports listed below, filed by 2 independent outlets, and checked against them line by line. It is not a copy of any one of them. Spotted an error? Tell us.

Corroborated2 outlets
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2 reports from 2 outlets. The numbers in the article point here.

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