A PAEDOPHILE has been found dead the morning he was due to go on trial.

Phillip Hough, of West Avenue in Rudheath, was found dead at his home by Cheshire Police officers earlier today.

It comes as the 50-year-old was set to stand trial at Chester Crown Court after being charged with a string of child sexual offences.

He previously appeared at the court on December 16 last year, when he pleaded guilty to possession of 4,071 indecent images photographs of children as well as an extreme pornographic image involving a live animal.

Hough also admitted to making a total of 3,796 indecent photographs of children between 2000 and 2021.

However, he pleaded not guilty to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child as well as taking an indecent photograph of a child, both of which allegedly happened in 2021.

Following this, a trial date was eventually set for November 8, 2023, with Hough granted conditional bail until such time.

The trial was due to start at 10am this morning, shortly before police were called to his address.

A spokesperson for the force said: “At around 10.45am on Wednesday (November 8) police were called to reports of concerns for the welfare of a man on West Avenue, Rudheath.

“Officers attended and sadly the man was found dead at the address, his next of kin have been informed.

“The death is not being treated as suspicious and a case file will be prepared for the coroner.”