A PRESTON man, who was due to appear in court charged with a string of sexual offences relating to children, killed himself, a coroners' court heard.

At about the time of his death last month, Richard Henry Foy was due to appear at Preston Crown Court to face four charges of indecent assault on boys under 14 years old and an indecent assault on a boy under 16.

As well as another charge of indecent assault Mr Foy, 56, faced charges of possessing and distributing indecent photographs and one charge of making an indecent photograph.

A verdict of suicide was recorded at the inquest, on Friday, October 4, which heard Mr Foy, of Tulketh Brow, had been divorced for about 12 years and lived alone.

His brother Terence Foy, of Lowther Street, told the court he discovered his brother's body at home on September 6 "half in and half out" of his bathroom and surrounded by blood. "He looked like he'd been trying to get into the bath," said Mr Foy.

Dr Alec Howart, consultant pathologist at Royal Preston Hospital, told coroner Howard McCann that Mr Foy's death had been caused by a deep laceration to his right arm. He had cut through the main artery near his inner elbow. Police found a Stanley knife was found next to his body.

Mr Foy told the court he had gone to his brother's home to deliver a letter that he had received from the legal team handling Richard's case. He hadn't seen him since September 4 when they met up for a drink.

Mr Foy said he called his brother, but could not get an answer, so he decided to hand deliver the letter and use a spare key to gain access to his brother's house.

Mr Foy, who said he had a good relationship with his brother, said he had received a telephone call from Richard two months ago.

"He mentioned I should have his former wife's number, in case anything should happen to him. Alarm bells started ringing at that time," said Mr Foy.

Coroner Howard McCann said: "Regrettably your brother killed himself."