A MAN facing a charge of rape killed himself in his car on the eve of his appearance in court, an inquest was told.
Lee Graham Ripley, 37, was found dead on a country road in North Yorkshire.
Mr Ripley, a married man of Rowntree Avenue, York, had been staying with his father, Arthur, for ten days before he was due to appear at York Crown Court, in October. The inquest, held at Pickering, heard he had gone out in his Volvo at 8pm the night before his appearance.
At 11.45pm, his father became concerned as there was no response from his son's mobile. At 2.20am, he contacted the police because he feared for his son's safety and the car was found on the Howsham to Gallygap road. A tube ran from the exhaust to a rear window, and empty packets of painkillers and six sealed envelopes were found in the car.
Coroner Michael Oakley recorded a verdict that Mr Ripley had killed himself.
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