UK- Sex charge teacher took his own life

8-8-2008 United Kingdom:

A TEACHER accused of sex offences took his own life by throwing himself off high cliffs, an inquest heard.

The body of Cambridge graduate Adrian Wolfson, 35, was found on the shoreline near Botallack in the far west of Cornwall on February 27 this year.

The inquest heard that five days earlier Mr Wolfson had pleaded not guilty to two counts of sexual activity in the presence of a child.

A page has been set up on social networking website Facebook in memory of Mr Wolfson. More than 200 friends and former pupils have paid tribute to an "inspirational" teacher.

The inquest at Truro City Hall yesterday heard that Mr Wolfson had been a teacher for 12 years at Deansfield Primary School in Eltham, South London.

Police were called to Thamesmead Leisure Centre on February 20 following reports that a man had performed a sex act on himself in front of children.

The inquest heard that Mr Wolfson booked himself in at the Porthminster Hotel in St Ives on February 23.

Staff at the hotel became concerned on February 26 after four empty packets of painkillers were found in Mr Wolfson's room by a chambermaid. Mr Wolfson had booked himself in to the Wellington Hotel in St Just on February 26 and was last seen eating breakfast there on the morning of February 27.

Later that morning his body was found at the bottom of cliffs near Zawn Cove by the police helicopter.

The inquest was told that a letter found in Mr Wolfson's rucksack was addressed to "the person who finds me". The letter said that he had left a fingerprint on his spectacles to confirm his identity. He wrote: "This is the last place I have chosen to feel the wind in my face."

None of Mr Wolfson's family were present at yesterday's hearing. A statement from his father, Stanley Wolfson, said: "He was distraught and said he had been treated very badly by the people who arrested him and locked him up. When he left he gave me a big hug and told me he loved me, which he had only done once before when his mother had recently died. He had a massive circle of friends, he had had many letters of support and it is clear he took his own life."

Suzanne Ellis, a close friend, said she received a suicide note from Mr Wolfson dated February 24 and postmarked February 25. When asked by Cornwall coroner, Dr Emma Carlyon, if there were any triggers to Mr Wolfson's actions, Ms Ellis said: "He strongly denied the charges of indecent exposure in court and pleaded not guilty.

There was press coverage which was difficult for him and his family. Allegations like this would destroy him and his family."

Dr Carlyon said the cause of death was multiple injuries caused by a cliff fall and said that he took his own life.

Immediately after the hearing Ms Ellis gave a statement to the WMN which described Mr Wolfson as a caring brother and son, a wonderful friend and an inspirational teacher.

She said: "One single, unfounded allegation was enough to blow apart everything he loved and had worked so hard for in his community.

"To be guilty by accusation is a perversion of justice. Adrian's resulting death is a tragedy for him and all those who loved him so much. It is also an indictment on our society and justice system." ..News Source.. by Western Morning News