Kesgrave Hall and Wales care system abuse suspect found dead

Kesgrave Hall boarding school was set up in the 1970s and closed in 1993

A 62-year-old man suspected of abuse at a Suffolk boarding school and in the Wales care system has been found dead.

Suffolk Police arrested Kenneth Wheatley, of Cliffe Crescent, Dodworth, Barnsley, last month on suspicion of indecent assault against a boy at Kesgrave Hall, near Ipswich, in 1976.

He was also being questioned by the National Crime Agency over claims of historical abuse in north Wales.

He was found dead on a railway line in Barnsley on 12 April, police said.

His death, which has just been made public, came three days after he was arrested and bailed by Suffolk Police.

Third arrest

The force said the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) had been made aware and the matter was being dealt with by the coroner.

British Transport Police said Mr Wheatley, also known as Kenneth Scott, was struck by a train between Dodworth and Silkstone Common at just before 08:00 BST on 12 April. His death is being treated as non-suspicious.

Mr Wheatley was a member of staff at the school, Suffolk Police said.

In a separate development, a third man was arrested as part of the Kesgrave Hall abuse probe on Wednesday.

The 68-year-old man, from north Norfolk, who was arrested on suspicion of indecent assault, has been bailed until 1 September.

A 65-year-old man from the Pontefract area also remains on police bail in relation to the Kesgrave Hall investigation and is due to return to police on 22 August.

Kesgrave Hall is now a hotel and restaurant.