A MAN under investigation by police over allegations of child pornography set fire to himself at a moorland beauty spot, an inquest was told.

A verdict that John Agar killed himself while the balance of his mind was disturbed, was recorded by the North Yorkshire East Coroner, Michael Oakley.

Mr Agar, 53, a plant operator, of Marine Parade, Saltburn, east Cleveland, was found dead in his blazing car at Blakey Ridge, on the North York Moors, last June.

Detective Constable Geoffrey Ingledew, of Cleveland Police, said allegations of a sexual assault had been made by a female.

A police search was mounted and Mr Agar's blazing car was found on the Castleton to Hutton-le-Hole road, near Ralph's Cross, at Blakey Ridge.

Station Officer Gordon Shipley, based at Richmond, said extensive tests had been carried out on the remains of the burnt out car and the conclusion had been reached that "some sort" of petroleum spirit had been used to cause the fire.