Overview
- High Court enforcement agents repossessing the Gosport premises found two elderly men’s bodies in a leaking, uncooled mortuary room.
- Prosecutors said William Mitchell, 87, remained there 36 days and showed visible decomposition.
- The court heard Golden Charter paid £2,040 under Mr Mitchell’s plan for cremation, yet no cremation or coffin purchase occurred according to the prosecution.
- An invoice for £1,295 was issued to a relative and differing coffin descriptions were given to the family and the plan provider, jurors were told.
- Richard Elkin and Hayley Bell deny charges including preventing lawful burial, public nuisance, and fraudulent trading, and Elkin faces an allegation over a false funeral‑director certificate as the trial continues.