Death jump man was on indecency charges

A man jumped 90ft (27 metres) to his death from a bridge half an hour after he was charged with sex offences.

The man died instantly after plunging from Valley Bridge in Scarborough, North Yorkshire. He was believed to be local and in his thirties, and had been in custody at Scarborough police station charged with indecency with females. He had been bailed to attend Scarborough magistrates' court today.

North Yorkshire Police has voluntarily referred the incident to the independent Police Complaints Authority, which has yet to decide whether it will supervise an inquiry. A post-mortem examination will be done today.

Police have called for witnesses to the death on Saturday to come forward. They are also keen to trace a man who was seen climbing on to the bridge, which links the centre of the town to the South Cliff, shortly before the man jumped.