A teacher killed himself hours after police searched his home in connection with an indecent assault at his former school.

Neil Bibby, 56, was found hanged by a blue nylon rope at his house in Guildford Road, Brighton.

He called friends the previous day after police raided his home and seemed on the verge of suicide, an inquest heard yesterday.

Officers working for the child protection unit of Thames Valley Police removed various items during the search on September 11, the hearing at Brighton Magistrates Court was told.

Mr Bibby had been told the search was in connection with an indecent assault at Doctor Challoner's Grammar School in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, where he previously worked.

Mr Bibby's friend, Paul Mansfield, of Stanford Road, Brighton, said: "He was very panicked and scared - of the unknown and of the humiliation.

"He would not go out of the house.

"He thought people would have seen the police cars, even though they were unmarked cars and thought he was a paedophile or sex offender.

"I felt he was planning to commit suicide. The search was the last straw."

Brighton and Hove Coroner Veronica Hamilton-Deeley said: "The allegation was more than Mr Bibby could stand on top of the depression.

"He told friends he had felt unhappy for several years."

Ms Hamilton-Deeley recorded a verdict of suicide.