A DETECTIVE constable shot himself after he became the centre of a police investigation involving child pornography.

Det Con Graham McDonald, 43, was found dead at his home in Waylands, Cricklade, on December 10 last year.

During an inquest into his death yesterday, coroner David Ridley concluded that Mr McDonald had taken his own life.

Mr McDonald, who had been in the police force for 19 years, had been suspended from Wiltshire Police on November 26 over allegations that pornographic images were found on his computer and one of the bail conditions restricted time with his partner Becky Wisdon’s children.

On the afternoon of December 10, Mr McDonald sent a text message to his welfare officer Detective Inspector Helen Glasgow, who was due to meet him that day, which said ‘I can’t cope with not seeing my family anymore. Please find me before Becky does. I’ve left the garage door open.’ Det Insp Glasgow rushed to the house and found Mr McDonald’s body in the spare bedroom.

Speaking at the inquest in Trowbridge Town Hall, his partner of three years, Mrs Wisdon, said: “He was full of life, he was a positive person with the most incredible sense of humour.

“He was very, very kind and caring and he would do anything for anybody, we had a really good relationship and he was very supportive with my children.”

When asked about how her partner felt following the suspension, she said: “He was devastated and shocked, mainly shocked because he had no idea what was happening or where it had all come from. He was in huge shock.

“The last time I saw him alive was the day before he died. It was the same day my children were being interviewed by the police and he was extremely anxious about that.”

Speaking to the Adver at the time of Mr McDonald’s death, his family maintained that he was the subject of bullying within the police force and strongly denied the allegations levied against him.

It emerged during the inquest Mr McDonald had acquired the shot gun from a friend after telling him he was going clay shooting.

Mr Ridley said: “I would like to sincerely offer my condolences to Mrs Wisdon and her boys, who clearly had a close and loving relationship with Graham.”