A PAEDOPHILE took his own life before he was due to stand trial, an inquest has heard.

Phillip Hough was found dead at his home in Rudheath on November 8, aged 50.

He had been due in the dock that same day in connection with a string of child sex offences.

A written inquest was heard by senior coroner Jacqueline Devonish on Wednesday (February 28).

It stated that Hough, who worked as a carer, had written a letter dated November 5 to his solicitors saying he intended to take his own life.

Cheshire Police and North West Ambulance Service were called to his address on West Avenue on the morning of November 8, having been alerted to concerns for his welfare by Chester Crown Court.

Upon arrival shortly after 11am, paramedics confirmed he had died.

He was due in court for a trial, having been accused of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and taking an indecent photograph of a child, both of which were alleged to have happened in 2021.

Hough, who was born in Crewe, had already pleaded guilty to a series of offences on December 16, 2022.

These included taking 3,796 indecent photographs of children between 2000 and 2021, possession of 4,071 indecent images of children and possession of an extreme pornographic image involving a live animal.

Assistant coroner Elizabeth Wheeler, who conducted the inquest, concluded Hough’s death as being a result of suicide.