A MAN who was charged with child sex offences killed himself after failing to turn up for a court hearing.

Richard Eastwood Walker, 58, was found dead at the top of his stairs on June 24 at his home in St Peter’s Road, South Ham, after taking an overdose of alcohol, paracetamol and codeine, an inquest heard.

Mr Walker was due to appear at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court on June 23 having been charged with 15 sex offences against children between 1999 and 2008.

These included raping a boy under the age of 16 and indecently assaulting a girl under the age of 14 Speaking at the inquest at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court, Mr Walker’s colleague John McLean said he became concerned after the computer salesman failed to turn up to work on June 24 following a few days off.

Mr McLean said Mr Walker’s behaviour had become “erratic” during recent months. He and a colleague went to check on him but found his body at the top of the stairs.

Mr McLean told the inquest: “What we saw wasn’t a complete shock which is why we consciously didn’t allow any of the younger members of staff to go.”

A note was found, with instructions for Mr Walker’s ex-partner, including his pin number.

PC Catherine King told the inquest that her colleague had called the police station after arriving at the property to ask for research to be conducted on Mr Walker.

She said: “He received a report that he had been due to attend court the previous day. He had not attended that hearing and a warrant for his arrest had been issued.”

No one at the inquest spoke about the charges Mr Walker faced.

Recording a verdict of suicide, North East Hampshire coroner Andrew Bradley said: “It’s very clear that Richard Walker killed himself, his intentions are well documented.”