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

An inquest has been opened into the death of Phillip Hough from Rudheath.

The 50-year-old was found dead at his home on November 8 by Cheshire Police officers after they were alerted to concerns for his welfare by Chester Crown Court.

Paramedics arrived at the scene soon after and confirmed he had died.

Hough was set to appear at crown court that same day for the start of a trial into a string of child sex 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, with police called to his address shortly after.

A police spokesperson said at the time: “At around 10.45am on Wednesday (November 8) police were called to reports of concerns for the welfare of a man in 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.”

Senior coroner Jacqueline Devonish opened an inquest into Hough’s death at Cheshire Coroner’s Court on Wednesday (November 22).

A case review will take place on January 21 ahead of the full inquest on June 10, 2024.