Racing expert found dead in river faced child-porn case

Doug Fraser, 54, whose full name was George Douglas Fraser, was reported missing by worried colleagues after failing to turn up to work at Hexham racecourse, Northumberland, on Saturday June 5.

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

Fraser had been 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 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and worked at Leeds-based Blue 2 Green Ltd, which provides off-TV commentaries for SIS and William Hill Radio, had withdrawn a "sizeable" amount of money from his bank account on June 3.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 friend Richard Wade, to whom he sent a text message the same day.

The hearing in Leeds was told yesterday Fraser was spotted on closed circuit TV cameras entering the main entrance of his block of flats on June 3 at about 6.30pm and was seen leaving at about 2.10am the following morning – he was not seen again.

Police were unable to confirm whether closed circuit TV footage of a man leaning against railings by the River Aire a short time later was Fraser.

His body was found in the River Aire near his home in the city centre on June 13 at 4pm, and he was identified by his fingerprints.

A post mortem examination carried out by forensic pathologist Prof Michael Green concluded the father of two had died from drowning.

Deputy coroner Melanie Williamson recorded an open verdict.

She said she could not be sure Fraser had intended to take his own life although he was having a difficult time before his death.

She said she was not satisfied that there was enough evidence to record a verdict of suicide, as Fraser had left no note and had left his door unlocked, sugges-

ting he might have just popped out.