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Abuse charge accused found dead Sex abuse accused commits suicide
(about 2 hours later)
A man due to stand trial on sex abuse charges at the High Court has been discovered dead on the shore. A man due to stand trial on sex abuse charges at the High Court has taken his own life.
The body of William Henderson, 62, was found close to the Kessock Bridge in Inverness on Monday, just as his case was calling at the city's High Court.The body of William Henderson, 62, was found close to the Kessock Bridge in Inverness on Monday, just as his case was calling at the city's High Court.
A search had earlier been launched after he failed to appear at the court.A search had earlier been launched after he failed to appear at the court.
Mr Henderson faced five charges relating to sexual offences involving two boys in Dumfries between 1966 and 1972. He denied the allegations.Mr Henderson faced five charges relating to sexual offences involving two boys in Dumfries between 1966 and 1972. He denied the allegations.
It is understood the alarm was raised when a text message from Mr Henderson, who was living in Aviemore, was received prior to the start of the case at 1400 BST on Monday. A search involving coastguard teams, police and a local lifeboat was carried out after Mr Henderson failed to turn up at the court at 1400 BST on Monday. His body was found at 1440 BST.
It transpires that, tragically, [Mr Henderson] took his own life yesterday Lord TurnbullJudge
Potential jurors were informed by judge Lord Turnbull on Tuesday that Mr Henderson had committed suicide.
He told the packed courtroom: "The gentleman due to stand trial at this sitting of the High Court was a 62-year-old man by the name of William Henderson.
"It transpires that, tragically, he took his own life yesterday."
Lord Turnbull granted a motion by Advocate Depute Robert Weir for the case against Mr Henderson be deserted.
Defence counsel Dale Hughes said he had no comment on the motion, but added: "On behalf of the defence team we are saddened by the news and our thoughts are with the family of Mr Henderson."
'Pronounced dead''Pronounced dead'
Lord Turnbull told the potential jurors that some information had come to light about the whereabouts of Mr Henderson. Neither of the alleged victims was in court to hear the details, but it is believed they were informed on Monday evening of what had occurred and were told they were not required to turn up at court.
He adjourned the case until Tuesday and refrained from issuing a warrant for the accused's arrest given the information he had received. The two alleged victims are now aged in their late 40s and early 50s.
A search involving coastguard teams, police and a local lifeboat was carried out, and Mr Henderson's body was found at 1440 BST. One was allegedly sexually abused between 1966 and 1970 when he was aged between 10 and 15. Three charges related to him.
A Northern Constabulary spokesman said: "A man was recovered from the north shore of the Moray Firth Basin at North Kessock at 1440 BST. The other was aged between eight and 12 at the time he was allegedly abused between 1967 and 1972.
A Northern Constabulary spokesman confirmed: "A man was recovered from the north shore of the Moray Firth Basin at North Kessock at 1440 BST.
"Emergency services attended and despite their efforts the man was pronounced dead at the scene."Emergency services attended and despite their efforts the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
"There do not appear to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding the death." "There does not appear to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding the death."