A BUS driver hanged himself before he was forced to face a charge of possessing indecent photographs of children.
An inquest at Croydon Coroner's Court was told Richard Brown, aged 54, was due to appear at Bexley Magistrates' Court on July 1 but failed to turn up.
When police went to his home they found him hanging from a piece of yellow rope tied to the loft hatch. A towel was wrapped around his head.
He had left a warning notice on the stairs reading: "Don't come up. Call police."
He had also blocked the stairs with a large wardrobe to prevent people from reaching him.
The court heard Mr Brown left four envelopes. One was marked "mortgage" and contained money.
He left a note reading: "I love you all. Very sorry. Rick."
None of Mr Brown's friends or family attended the hearing.
Recording a verdict of suicide, Coroner Dr Roy Palmer said Mr Brown had taken elaborate precautions to prevent people from seeing his dead body.
He said Mr Brown, of Hurst Road, Bexley, had clearly regarded his forthcoming court appearance as serious.
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