A former head of care at a boarding school has been found dead on the eve of his trial for alleged sex offences on young boys more than 30 years ago.
David Harris was found dead in bed at his home in Plymouth after police forced their way inside.
Officers were asked to go to Mr Harris's home in the city after being contacted last Tuesday by colleagues in Hertfordshire.
David Harris had been due to appear at Luton Crown Court. He was found dead at his home on the eve of his trial
The 63-year-old had been due to appear at Luton Crown Court on that day for his trial accused of sexual offences on five boys, aged around seven and eight.
The alleged crimes were said to have taken place between 1972 and 1990 at Stevenage's Hilltop Special Boarding School for children.
When Mr Harris failed to arrive at court, a bench warrant was issued by Judge Richard Foster not backed for bail, with the hope that Mr Davies attend the trial the following day.
However, on Wednesday, the news reached the court that police who had entered his home in Knighton Road had discovered a body.
Judge Foster then adjourned the case until Friday when prosecutor Ann Evans told the court the man had been identified as Mr Harris.
The court heard a post mortem is to be held to establish how Mr Harris died.
Mr Harris was in bed when police found him, but Mrs Evans said no suicide note had been found.
While a letter was found nearby Mr Harris's body, Mrs Evans said it was written to a neighbour explaining he was going to be away for a while while in court.
If the trial had gone ahead, Mrs Evans said she was expecting five men, now in their 30s and 40s, to testify against Mr Harris.
All five men had been pupils at had been at the boarding school for pupils with emotional and behavioural difficulties when they claim they were sexually abused by Mr Harris.
Mrs Evans said: 'All five had been prepared to come to court.'
Mr Harris faced 30 charges alleging he had carried out serious sex offences and acts of indecency on the boys.
The boys' school has now closed.
Mr Harris, who was not married, joined the school in 1972 and eventually became head of care.
He lived in a flat in the school grounds near a dormitory where the boys slept, and was responsible for the care and welfare of the students when they were not in the classroom.
Mr Harris had been due to plead not guilty to all the charges at Luton Crown Court last week.
On Friday Mrs Evans said as a result of his death, the indictment against Mr Harris had no legal effect.
Judge Foster agreed and ordered the file on the case should be closed.
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