A FORMER Newton-le-Willows lorry driver at risk of jail for historic sex offences has died by suicide, a court heard.

Sentencing on Philip Moore had been adjourned until today (Monday, September 30) after he had been found guilty earlier this month of a string of offences involving two young girls.

But a judge at Liverpool Crown Court was told that the 59-year-old had died by suicide last Friday.

A Staffordshire police officer had confirmed that he had seen his body and confirmed his identity, said Robert Dudley, prosecuting.

There was also a report about his sudden death, he added.

Moore, of William Road, Kidsgrove, Staffordshire, had been convicted of six offences after a trial at the court.

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These involved one indecent assault on a girl when she was aged 11 or 12;  two indecent assaults on a 13-year-old girl, two offences of sexual activity with that child and inciting her to engage in sexual activity.

All the offences took place between September 1999 and September 2005, mainly in Newton-le-Willows.

He was found not guilty by the jury of another offence of indecently assaulting the first girl in the cab of his lorry.

Judge Garrett Byrne said that from the information he had been given, “I’m satisfied Philip Moore is deceased.”

He ordered that the indictment should be marked as having no legal effect.