AN RAF aircraft technician took his own life after being arrested, an inquest heard.

Oliver James Pallett was taken in by police in February after being accused of sending abusive messages.

The 37-year-old, was found hanging in Hampshire woodland on February 25.

Area coroner Jason Pegg said investigations into the allegations had not found Mr Pallett to be guilty.

Winchester Coroner’s Court heard that Mr Pallett spoke to his wife Sharon about the allegations after returning from the police station.

Mrs Pallett said that he was a “golden boy” and “would do anything for anyone”, but added: “I wasn’t expecting this, but he was worried about losing everything – his family and his job, which he loved very much.”

It is thought that before his death, he travelled to his friend’s address in Hampshire to deliver two letters.

He then parked his car in Sailor’s Lane, Exton, and died by suicide in a nearby field.

PC Baker of Hampshire Constabulary found Mr Pallett’s car parked up and ordered search technician Nicholas Mansfield to scan the area.

A post mortem by Dr Hayley Burnley, consultant pathologist at Royal Hampshire County Hospital, found the cause of death was hanging.

Mr Pallett, of Caterton, West Oxfordshire, had served in the RAF since he was 16.

In a statement, his friend Steve Jones said: “Oli was a popular guy. We would speak daily – our friendship was a kind of ‘bromance’. We would always speak about any of our problems. He never said anything that concerned me and I had no idea of these problems.”

Mr Pegg concluded as death by suicide.

He said: “Oliver was arrested on suspicion of sending abusive messages, but was able to tell his wife about the allegations, and also his employers. It is clear to me he was fearful of losing his career, which he clearly loved, and also his family.”