He was standing trial for sex offences
Police have confirmed that a man found dead in an area of land in Halton Moor is a pensioner who was standing trial accused of child sex offences.
Bernard McGrath, of Coronation Parade, Halton, was standing trial at Leeds Crown Court accused of seven counts of indecent assault, indecency with a child, five counts of rape and a two of assault by penetration. The trial began last Monday, with His Honour Judge Batty summing up on Friday, days before the defendant's body was found.
Jurors heard evidence from the alleged victim - now an adult - who told how he had been targeted by McGrath when he was just six-years-old. It was said McGrath abused the boy up until he was 15.Following the discovery of McGrath's body on Monday, the jury in the trial was discharged. On Tuesday, Judge Batty said: "The jury was discharged. Mr McGrath was found dead yesterday morning having apparently taken his own life. The allegations will no longer be pursued.
A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police said McGrath's body was found on land off Cartmell Drive. They said: "We can confirm that the man found dead on land off Cartmell Drive, Halton Moor, at 6.33am yesterday morning was Bernard McGrath, aged 84, from Halton Moor. There were no suspicious circumstances in relation to his death and the Coroner's Office has been informed.
"He had previously been charged with non-recent child sex offences, following an investigation by Leeds District Safeguarding Unit, and a trial had been ongoing at Leeds Crown Court.Get all the latest crime stories and updates from the courts straight to your inbox from our free newsletter. Click here for more information.
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