Alleged sex offender took his own life days before trial

An alleged sex offender took his own life days before he was due to stand trial. Michael John McConville, 51, of Moorland Park, Newport, was accused of three counts of sexual assault against the same alleged victim between late 2015 and early 2017.

He was also accused of one count of exposure. He had pleaded not guilty to all the offences at an earlier hearing.

His four-day trial was scheduled to start on November 13, 2023, but two weeks prior to this Mr McConville took his own life. For the latest Welsh news delivered to your inbox sign up to our newsletter.

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Mr McConville died aged 51 on October 29, 2023, at his home. On December 4 last year a judge, having seen Mr McConville's post-mortem examination report, confirmed the criminal proceedings had been closed.

An inquest was opened on November 16 and concluded in writing on June 18 Senior coroner Caroline Saunders recorded a conclusion of suicide and found Mr McConville took his own life by hanging.

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