A FORMER police officer and 'devoted husband and father' took his own life in a Lake District hotel car park due to stresses over a police investigation into alleged indecent images on his devices which were posthumously found to be not of a chargeable nature, an inquest has heard.

Hampshire Constabulary confirmed that Matthew Brierley, from Fareham, would not have been charged, but only after he took his own life at a car park at a Lake District hotel.

The 39-year-old, who at the time was employed by the UK Border Force, was found dead in his car in the Buttermere Court Hotel car park on April 24, 2024.

Mr Brierley was arrested by Hampshire police at his home in Fareham where he lived with his wife Victoria on March 16, 2024.

According to two officers from the force, who were present in Cockermouth Coroner's Court via video link, they had received information that Mr Brierley was linked to a PayPal account used to purchase indecent images of children in 2023.

After his death, police completed an examination of his devices and said they found nothing that would have led to Mr Brierley being charged.

Mr Brierley had denied the allegations when interviewed by police and answered 'no comment' to questions with his solicitor present. He was bailed pending investigations into his computer and mobile devices.

Bail conditions precluded him from living or sleeping at home or having any unsupervised contact with his three biological children or stepdaughter.

Police informed his employers and he was suspended from work.

When quizzed by Mr Brierley's father in court, police accepted Mr Brierley had been told that the investigations could take 18-24 months to complete though that timescale had now been reduced to six months.

When asked by Assistant Coroner for Cumbria Dr Nicholas Shaw if devices can be processed more urgently, given the relatively high risk of suicide in men accused of such crimes, they said that they could 'in certain circumstances, dependant on the risk'.

According to his wife Mr Brierley had no history of mental health problems but had been 'feeling low' since his arrest.

She said that the Buttermere was 'his favourite place'.

When found by the hotel manager shortly before midday on April 24, having driven there the day previously, she alerted police who attended with fire services and CSI, who found no evidence of third-party involvement.

A post-mortem showed no toxicological findings and that Mr Brierley had died from asphyxia.

Dr Shaw raised concerns over the handling of Mr Brierley's case in a Prevention of Future Deaths Report, sent to the Ministry of Justice, National Police Chiefs' Council, and College of Policing.

He wrote: "It is recognized that men in Matthew's circumstances are at a markedly elevated risk of suicide.

"I was told that when released on bail Matthew was informed that examination of devices and a decision in his case might take up to 18 months.

"Being suspended from work and unable to live at home removed normality and stability from Matthew and likely impaired his ability to cope with his situation.

"The length of time taken to reach a decision seems excessive, prolonging the time Matthew would be at risk.

"I was told devices can be 'triaged' within a matter of days or more quickly, surely cases such as this should be dealt with more expeditiously?

"It seems that 'standard' bail conditions are applied but I am not aware of any suggestion of a specific risk to Matthew’s stepdaughter, might a more detailed individual assessment of risk be helpful?

"I should record that Matthew's phone was examined after his death and that images found were not of a grade that would have led to a prosecution."

Dr Shaw added there was no proactive contact from a family contact officer, which may have been helpful.

Police said in court that the team does a 'fantastic job' and their 'primary concern is the safety and protection of children'.

Mr Brierley's wife said that he had joined the army at 16, followed by the navy, the police, and latterly the Border Force.

Her statement said: "Matthew was kind, friendly, and the epitome of responsibility.

"He was full of warmth and compassion, and was a devoted husband and father."

She called him a 'really wonderful man', and 'very loyal and humble'.

She said he had been in 'serious turmoil' in the weeks leading up to his death.

Dr Shaw said: "This is an absolutely tragic case.

"Vicky has lost her husband, and her daughter and his other children are not going to grow up with the knowledge that there’s a dad out there for them."

Dr Shaw gave a conclusion of suicide.

When life is difficult, Samaritans are here – day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123, email them at jo@samaritans.org, or visit samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.