A former Sunday School teacher charged with indecent assault on a boy under 16 took his own life, an inquest heard on Wednesday.

Engineer Alan Clark, 58, of St George’s Close, Warminster, was found dead in his car by police in Westbury White Horse car park at about 1.45am on January 11.

An ambulance crew tried to resuscitate him but he was pronounced dead at the scene. His death came just three days before he was due to answer charges at Swindon Crown Court.

Giving evidence at the inquest, his wife of 20 years, Eurtrice, said Mr Clark had been in a very low mood and tearful since the allegations surfaced in late 2010.

She said he had spoken of taking his own life as he feared the coming trial and a possible custodial sentence.

The inquest also heard that on December 30 Mr Clark had been barred from attending his church while the allegations passed through court.

Detective sergeant Sarah Billinge of Melksham CID said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death, and family had described Mr Clark as a meticulous man who would not have undertaken an act without careful thought.

Mr Clark, who served in the army for 22 years, used to be a Sunday school teacher at Kingdom Life in Frome Road, Trowbridge.

Coroner Ian Singleton recorded a verdict of suicide, with carbon monoxide poisoning as cause of death.