Abuse probe vicar did set himself alight
A VICAR under investigation for historical sex offences doused himself with petrol and burned to death, an inquest heard.
The charred remains of bachelor Martyn Neale, 60, were found by his sister in the vicarage garden eight days after his arrest.
Janis Chandler said: “I saw something on the ground that was burned. I realised it was a body.”
She said her brother had not spoken of the allegations dating back 20 years but had been suspended as the Church of England vicar for Hawley, Hants.
Coroner Andrew Bradley told the Basingstoke inquest Mr Neale “effectively incinerated himself ”. He said the claims clearly weighed on him and called him “a tortured soul”.
Verdict: Suicide.