A MILITARY policeman has been found dead at his barracks on the day he was due in court to face allegations he raped and indecently assaulted a teenage girl, it was revealed yesterday.

Corporal Colin Winning, from Glasgow, was found hanged by colleagues at Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire.

An inquest into the death is due to be opened soon but police said yesterday there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death and they are not looking for anyone else.

A spokesman added: "The coroner has been informed and an inquest will be held in due course, once inquiries into the circumstances surrounding Cpl Winning's death have been completed. As far as the allegations against him are concerned, no further action can be taken."

Cpl Winning, 31, was a married man with two step-children. He served as a Royal Military Policeman with 150 Provost Company and, despite the charges against him, was carrying out normal duties at the time of his death.

His body was found on Friday, May 24, when he was due to make a preliminary appearance in court.

Cpl Winning faced charges of the rape and indecent assault of a 17-year-old between August 1998 and August 1999.

At Teesside Crown Court yesterday, Judge Les Spittle agreed to a request by prosecutor Aisha Wadoodi to stay the indictment after hearing a statement from police officer that he had identified the deceased's body.

Although a military funeral was offered, relatives preferred a family service, which was held back in Scotland on Wednesday.

An Army spokesman said yesterday: "As the allegations fell within the jurisdiction of North Yorkshire Police, we had no direct involvement in the investigation.

"We understand the case cannot be taken any further following the death of Cpl Winning in such tragic circumstances and we would like to express our deepest sympathy to those he has left behind."