A RETIRED teacher being investigated for indecent assault killed himself by overdosing on helium, an inquest heard on Friday.

Nicholas Anthony Christopher Bray, 63, of Wain-a-Long Road, Salisbury, was found dead at his home by police officers on June 12 after failing to attend an appointment at Salisbury Police Station.

He had been arrested in 2007 for an assault dating back several years and was also being investigated for possessing indecent images.

PC Simon Guerri-Fear attended the property alongside three other officers and forced entry after a neighbour said Mr Bray had not been seen for two weeks.

They found Mr Bray with a vacuum bag over his head, which was connected to a BOC helium canister, and PC Guerri-Fear told the inquest it was apparent he had been there for some time.

The court heard Jacqui Cameron, a solicitor at William Baish, had received an email suicide note from Mr Bray the previous month, but when police went to his home to check on him, he was alive and well.

DS Nigel Porter of Wiltshire Police confirmed Mr Bray was co-operating fully with police investigating the allegations made against him, and had not been assessed as at risk following previous interviews.

A post mortem recorded the cause of death as asphyxiation, which was accepted by Wiltshire Coroner David Ridley.

Verdict: took his own life.