A former police officer who was charged with indecently assaulting a child has been found dead before his scheduled court appearance. Simon Knott, a former officer with Devon and Cornwall Police, faced four charges relating to alleged offences against a girl under the age of 14 and a woman, spanning the period from 1990 to 2013.
Court Hearing Unexpectedly Withdrawn
Knott was due to appear at Newton Abbot Magistrates' Court on March 19, but the hearing was unexpectedly removed from the court list on March 18. It has now emerged that Knott, of Rowan Close, Ogwell, Newton Abbot, has been found deceased, leading to the withdrawal of the case against him.
Details of the Charges
The charges involved serious allegations of indecent assault, with one victim being a young girl under 14 years old and another being a woman. The alleged incidents occurred over a lengthy timeframe, from 1990 to 2013, highlighting the historical nature of the case.
Impact on Legal Proceedings
With Knott's death, the legal proceedings have been halted, and the case has been formally withdrawn. This development has left many questions unanswered, as the court hearing would have provided further details and potential resolution to the allegations.
The sudden removal of the hearing from the court list prior to the discovery of Knott's death had already raised concerns, and his subsequent passing has added a layer of complexity to the situation. Authorities have not released further details regarding the circumstances of his death at this time.
