A MOURNING mum has been left in shock after it was revealed her daughter's boyfriend spent three weeks living with her dead body.

       The 46-year-old man also spent ￡6,000 on her bank cards, the Brisbane District Court heard.

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       The body of Shae Francis has never been found 3

       Jason Cooper pleaded guilty to interfering with a corpse and fraud Credit: PA

       The bizarre incident happened in Hervey Bay, Australia, where Shae Francis died in October 2018- her body was never found.

       The woman, who was 35 years old at the time was living with her boyfriend Jason Cooper who denied having anything to do with her death.

       He told cops he dumped the woman's body in a bin "about three weeks" after he found her dead at their home.

       Cooper pleaded guilty to interfering with a corpse and fraud, the Mail Online reported.

       As he was taken into custody in June 2019, he will serve no further time in prison as 896 days were declared as time served.

       The 35-year-old's mum devastated mum Cheryl-Lee Francis told reporters outside court: "I am just in shock. I am numb.

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       "I want to get my daughter home, to respect her and give her the dignity that she deserves."

       Cooper told police he woke up one morning and found the woman dead.

       He said he wrapped the body in a sleeping bag and was planning to bury her at the beach "which is what she wished for" but decided to dump her in a bin when he saw a police car near him.

       He added that he returned to the scene later but the body had vanished.

       Police had gone to Cooper's apartment following reports of a bad smell from neighbours.

       Ms Francis was reported missing in March 2019, despite Cooper's claims that she is alive but no longer lives in the area.

       Meanwhile, he was using her bank card ending up spending over ￡6,000 before he was caught by police in Victoria.

       A massive search was sparked in a Queensland landfill in March 2020 but the woman's body was never found.

       Cooper was initially charged with manslaughter, but the prosecution only proceeded with the two charges he pleaded guilty to.

       Judge William Everson said on Friday: "It must be made clear that you're not being sentenced on the basis that you are responsible for the death of the deceased."

       The court was told that the couple had a history of alcohol dependence, with Ms Francis having been hospitalised shortly before her death.

       Cooper who has been receiving anti-psychotic treatment in prison, was convicted and sentenced to 896 days for interference with a corpse and received a 12-month sentence for fraud.

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       Cheryl-Lee Francis has been left in shock after the verdict Credit: PA

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