Missing race commentator was due to face child porn charges

Doug Fraser, 54, was reported missing by worried colleagues after failing to turn up to work at Hexham racecourse, Northumberland, last June.

He was found dead in the River Aire in Leeds, eight days later.

Mr Fraser was due to appear at Leeds Crown Court on June 4 in relation to alleged offences of possessing indecent images of children, but failed to show up and a warrant had been issued for his arrest.

The respected commentator, who was originally from Scotland and worked at Leeds-based Blue 2 Green Ltd, which provides off-TV commentaries for SIS, and William Hill Radio, had withdrawn a "sizeable" amount of money from his bank account on June 3.

His last known contact was with a friend to whom he sent a text message the same day.

The hearing in Leeds was told that he was spotted on CCTV cameras entering the main entrance of his block of flats on June 3 at about 6.30pm and he was seen again at 2.10am the following morning leaving the flats - he was not seen again.

Police were unable to confirm whether CCTV footage of a man leaning against railings by the River Aire a short time later was Mr Fraser, who started his racing career with Extel in 1979.

A post-mortem carried out by forensic pathologist Prof Michael Green concluded the father-of-two, who had a history of back problems and had seen his GP just days before his death, had died from drowning.

Recording an open verdict, deputy coroner Melanie Williamson said she could not be sure Mr Fraser had intended to take his own life although he was having a difficult time before his death.

She said: "It is reasonable to assume that Mr Fraser would have been feeling at that time low of mind and was troubled.

"Mr Fraser failed to attend his court appearance, sadly his lifeless body was discovered by police on June 13."

Miss Williamson said she was not satisfied there was enough evidence to record a verdict of suicide as Mr Fraser had left no suicide note, and had left his door unlocked suggesting he might have just popped out.

She added: "It is curious that he didn't lock the door. He may have accidentally fallen due to his back problems. Leaving his door open showed his intention to return home."

In a statement read to the inquest, Det Supt Paul Taylor, of West Yorkshire Police's Homicide and Major Enquiries Team, said a police investigation had begun soon after Mr Fraser was reported missing and involved underwater search teams.

He said: "He failed to report to work on Saturday and this was completely out of character for him."