A HAMPSHIRE man found hanging in woodland was at the centre of a police investigation into an alleged sex offence, it has been revealed.

Matthew Parsons feared he was going to be sent to prison, an inquest into his death has been told.

The 36-year-old was discovered by an early morning dogwalker near Calmore Community Centre.

The discovery came days before Mr Parsons, from Millbrook, in Southampton, was due to respond to bail.

Paramedics rushed to the scene off Calmore Drive in Totton and CPR was attempted, but despite their efforts he died.

At the time of his death on May 28, Mr Parsons was under police investigation in relation to an alleged sexual offence and alleged possession of a Taser stun gun.

Details of the allegations were not revealed to the court.

Winchester Coroner’s Court heard that Mr Parsons, of Goodwin Close, had attempted suicide two days before his death.

He had left a suicide note for his mother, Maria.

She said in a statement: “He was never a fighter. I often had to sort him out when things went wrong.

“He was very scared about going to prison, he was very low and worried in the weeks he was on bail.”

Speaking about his previous suicide bid she added: “I told him never to do anything like that again and he would not promise me that.

“I don’t believe that Matthew had any help for his mental health.”

His brother, Adrian Parsons, said: “He bottled stuff up, he would not tell me how he felt.”

PC Thomas Neale confirmed that Mr Parsons’s death was treated as non-suspicious.

Coroner Grahame Short said: “It is clear from what he said to his brother and mother that he feared prosecution and imprisonment even though no formal charges had been laid at the time.”

He recorded a conclusion of suicide.