A MAN jumped 90ft to his death from a bridge only half an hour after he had been charged with sex offences.

The man, who has not yet been identified, died instantly after plunging from Valley Bridge, in Scarborough, North Yorkshire.

Police yesterday confirmed that he had been in custody at the resort's headquarters, where he was charged with indecent assault, 30 minutes before he climbed on to the bridge parapet and dived to his death in Valley Road.

The North Yorkshire force has voluntarily referred the incident to the Independent Police Complaints Authority, which has yet to decide whether an inquiry will be held.

Dozens of shocked holidaymakers looked on as the man climbed on to the bridge, which links the centre of the town to the South Cliff, and detectives are urging witnesses to the fall to come forward.

A police spokesman said: "Half an hour before he jumped to his death, he had been in custody at Scarborough police station.

"He had been charged with indecency with females and was bailed to attend Scarborough Magistrates' Court on Monday, August 13."

A post-mortem examination will be carried out today, and North Yorkshire East coroner Michael Oakley is expected to open an inquest in Malton later this week. The man is understood to be local and in his 30s.

Police are particularly anxious to speak to a second man who was seen climbing on to the bridge shortly before the victim jumped at about 5.30pm on Saturday.

The bridge has been the scene of more than 50 death falls in the past 30 years.