THE headteacher of a Penarth primary school took his own life by hanging himself in a churchyard, a coroner has concluded.

Peredur Huw Jones, 51, the head teacher at Albert Primary School, was found dead in the cemetery of St Lawrence Church on Fort Road in Lavernock on February 1 this year.

Area coroner Phillip Spinney concluded at an inquest on Wednesday, November 22 that Mr Jones had intended to take his own life after a post mortem examination found that he had been hanged with alcohol and paracetamol in his system.

Members of the public had found Mr Jones' body lying on his side with empty drink bottles, empty tablet packets near him and a white ligature material hanging off a nearby tree.

They had been visiting a family member's grave at around 2.05pm.

It is understood that the ligature had snapped but no connection was found between Mr Jones and the church and no third party of suspicious circumstances discovered.

The Coroner's Court heard how Mr Jones had a history of depression and struggled with his sexuality.

On Monday, January 30, South Wales Police had executed a search warrant at his home following information from South Yorkshire Police that he may have illegal images of children.

PC Emma Hampton who searched Mr Jones' house said that he seemed fine and at that point had no concern for his safety.

She had given him contact numbers if he needed to speak to anyone and asked if he wanted anybody to come over but he said he would be fine.

She did not arrest him because she felt it did not meet the necessity test.

Mr Jones had attended a governors' meeting on Monday, January 30 where he was told by two governors that he was being investigated about a safeguarding issue and that he was not to return to school the following day but instead attend a meeting at the Vale of Glamorgan Council at 10am.

He did not turn up for the meeting and was reported as a high-risk missing person.

The two governors drove to his house where police were present and forced entry to the property.

There they found a note to his parents saying he was sorry for what he had done and didn't think he would ever be good enough and thanked them for all they had done for him.

Mr Spinney, said he was satisfied that this had been written to say goodbye.

Peter Jones, Huw Jones' father, said in a statement read out that his son suffered from low self-esteem and that last year was a difficult year for him.

The statement read: "He was a good listener and a great friend but he was lonely and felt he had no one but his mother and me.

"He was well-respected and I never heard anyone say a bad word about him."

A statement from the current assistant headteacher Gaynor Haldenby said that he had struggled with the workload when the former assistant headteacher had left and had also struggled with the fact that he was gay.

Mr Jones had seen a psychiatrist and was prone to mood swings.

A police spokeswoman said: “South Wales Police can confirm that enquiries which continued following the death of Huw Jones did not identify any criminal offences.

“Mr Jones was never arrested by South Wales Police – officers visited his address on Monday, January, 30 2017, while making enquiries.

“South Wales Police is waiting to hear back from the IPCC after the matter was referred to them following Huw Jones’ death.”

An IPCC spokesperson said: “The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) investigation into the contact South Wales Police had with Huw Jones prior to his death is nearing completion. Once complete, our findings will be shared with the force and Mr Jones’ family.”

A Vale of Glamorgan Council spokesman said: "The day before Huw Jones’ death, the local authority was contacted by South Wales Police to report that he had been named in an ongoing police investigation.

"In order to safeguard all concerned, the Local Authority in consultation with representatives of the Governing Body of Albert Primary School, took immediate action in accordance with the All Wales Child Protection Procedures.

"The local authority provided advice, guidance, support and counselling during this very difficult time for the school community and will continue to provide the same assistance following the conclusion of the inquest."

Mr Spinney made a conclusion of death by hanging and confirmed that it was suicide.