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A man was recently sentenced to two years and four months in prison after he kept the body of his deceased mother in a chest freezer inside the living room of their family home for nearly three years, while also continuing to claim her pension and benefits. Christopher Phillips, aged 60, was arrested when the body of his mother, Sylvia Phillips, 89, was discovered by authorities in February at their residence in Poplar Crescent, Porthcawl, Bridgend county. Sylvia had passed away in March 2023.
Following her death, Phillips told doctors that he “did not want to let her go” and wished for “more time” with her. When officers found Sylvia’s body, she was wrapped in a leopard print silk blanket, adorned with yellow and pink roses, and placed alongside a birthday card signed by Phillips and the family dog, Tina, which read, “To Mum, from Christopher and Tina.” Phillips pleaded guilty to three charges, which included failing to lawfully and decently bury his mother, as well as continuing to claim her pension, housing benefits, and winter fuel allowances.
Court proceedings revealed that the day after Sylvia’s death on March 8, 2023, Phillips held her in his arms, promising to take care of her. Two days later, he purchased a chest freezer and placed it in the dining room of their semi-detached home, where Sylvia’s body remained until the police discovered it during a welfare check prompted by her GP. The local medical practice had repeatedly attempted to reach Sylvia, but Phillips refused to grant them access. When questioned, Phillips falsely claimed that his mother had moved to London and was avoiding medical tests. Police officers became suspicious after noticing his nervous behavior, including trembling and fidgeting. He was overheard on the phone telling a girlfriend, “the police are going to arrest me, you’ve got the will.”
Upon opening the freezer, officers found Sylvia’s body completely frozen, which delayed the post-mortem examination. The pathologist could not determine a cause of death but noted no signs of foul play. Phillips reportedly slept downstairs next to the freezer and at times would hold her hand. In early 2026, he noticed discoloration on her hands. Records showed that Sylvia had visited her local GP 26 times in 2021 and six times in 2022, with the last known contact being a visit to A&E on September 24, 2022, followed by a home visit from her GP on September 26. Despite these visits, Phillips continued to collect her prescriptions and benefits, totaling £78,190.92. He declined medical appointments and tests arranged by her GP practice, stating Sylvia would not attend the surgery and did not require blood tests.
During sentencing, Judge Lloyd-Clarke condemned Phillips for his actions, stating he had “deliberately concealed” his mother’s death and taken active measures to “give the impression that she was still alive.” The judge highlighted how Phillips continued to obtain her prescriptions and lied to healthcare professionals as well as the police. Rather than informing authorities or arranging a proper burial, Phillips purchased a chest freezer on March 10th and hid Sylvia’s body inside. The judge noted that a schedule for confiscation proceedings would follow in due course
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