A RETIRED headmaster killed himself after police arrested him over offences allegedly committed 27 years earlier.
John Kenneth Styler, 65, a single man who lived alone at Queens Hill Crescent, Newport, wrote his solicitor a letter before his death expressing his anxiety that friends and family should find out about the allegations being investigated by police.
The letter, faxed to police on August 14 by Mr Styler's solicitor, directed officers to the shed in his garden, where they found him hanged.
Coroner's officer Howard Salmon told an inquest : "It is clear from the letter he strongly denied any allegations."
Mr Styler had been due to surrender to bail at Newport Central police station that day and his letter made it clear the prospect of this traumatised him.
Deputy coroner Wendy James recorded the verdict that Mr Styler killed himself while depressed.
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