THE wife of an Isle of Wight head teacher who went missing while facing a sex charge today called for anonymity for those accused of sex offences.

Gail Wilbee spoke out as police carried out tests on a body discovered by two walkers in a field at Cowleaze near Shanklin on Friday.

Father-of-two Alistair Wilbee, 47, disappeared two months ago from his Shanklin home after appearing in court to face allegations surrounding a sexual assault on a 14-year-old boy.

Mr Wilbee, pictured above, from Vaughan Road, who had denied the accusation, left without any credit cards or money, and was dressed in a red T-shirt and brown trousers.

Police used a spotter plane and brought in tracker dogs in a vain search for Mr Wilbee, head teacher at Summerfields Primary School.

Today his wife, also a teacher, said she was sure the body discovered on Friday was her husband's.

Paying tribute to a loving father, loyal husband and respected head teacher, she said she and her family were distressed and angry at his death.

Mrs Wilbee said: "It seems likely that he took his own life, being unable to come to terms with the repercussions of an allegation made by a child on a residential trip.

"My husband was devastated that a caring action he had taken to ensure the safety and a comfort of a child, while in loco parentis, should backfire."

Calling for a change in the legal system, she added: "Teachers, in particular, need further safeguards to protect them when in a position of professional trust.

"They should have rights equal to those of the child.

"A key move in this direction would be to grant anonymity until proven guilty.

"It is no coincidence that my husband disappeared the night before his name was to be published in the press."

Police on the Island confirmed that a body of a male was discovered in a field between Shanklin and Ventnor at about 3.30pm on Friday.

However, a spokesman said it would be several days before the victim's identification could be confirmed.

He explained: "The body has been there for some time and cannot be identified visually. Further tests are to be carried out to determine the identity.''

Mr Wilbee had appeared before local magistrates and conditionally bailed to appear before the court again on October 16 for committal proceedings to the crown court.

He had been suspended from work while proceedings were active.