THE funeral takes place today of a man who hanged himself from a tree after he was accused of rape.

Michael Bruce, a 33-year-old taxi driver from Hartlepool, was found hanging in Castle Eden Walkway, Thorpe Thewles, by a man walking his dog last week.

An inquest into Mr Bruce's death revealed that he took his own life after being accused of committing rape several years ago.

His former wife, Dawn Bruce, who had got back together with the former Royal Navy mechanic, told Hartlepool Coroner's Court that her partner had been harassed by those making the claims and had been driven to taking his own life.

She said Mr Bruce had also taken an overdose two weeks ago, claiming he had been followed by his accusers over the allegations - which he strenuously denied - and had become scared and terrified by the whole ordeal.

She said he was neither arrested nor charged over the accusations.

Hartlepool Coroner Malcolm Donnelly recorded a verdict that Mr Bruce killed himself and told the inquest it was clear no other party was involved in the actual hanging.

A police spokeswoman said: "Cleveland Police had been asked to investigate certain allegations against Mr Bruce, but now, after his death, it will go no further."

The funeral service takes place at Stranton Grange Crematorium, Hartlepool.