An electrical engineer took his own life before he could be sentenced for having access to indecent images of children, an inquest heard. David Robert Peak was discovered in his Wigan flat by family members on January 30, 2026.
The 53-year-old was due to appear in court on the same day of his death after pleading guilty to the offence that required him to sign on the sexual offender’s register.
Inquest Details
An inquest into David’s death was held at Bolton Coroners Court on Tuesday (June 30). The court heard how David’s mental health ‘plummeted’ after he was arrested in January 2024. David was detained, questioned, and released on bail while investigations continued. He was eventually charged in October 2025, where he pleaded guilty and was scheduled to appear in crown court for sentencing.
David failed to appear on the day of his sentencing, which fell on Friday January 30, 2026. Concerned for his welfare, family members travelled to his home. After obtaining a spare key from the landlord, his body was found near the bathroom of his flat in Ince by his sisters, who attended the inquest.
Mental Health History
During the period between his arrest and guilty plea, David, who had a history of mental health issues, sought out support through the NHS mental health system. The court heard how he was judged to have ‘mixed anxiety and severe depression’ which was exacerbated by his arrest and investigation. David also showcased ‘autistic traits,’ and was due for an assessment to determine a diagnosis, the court was told.
A witness statement from his mother, Mary Peak, was read by Coroner Stephen Teasdale during the inquest. The court heard how Mrs Peak suspected that David was ‘possibly autistic’. He was described as someone who often ‘cut himself off from people, spent a lot of time on his own’ and would retreat ‘into his own world.’
Family Contact
After his arrest and bail, David left his family home and moved into a house of multiple occupancy on Humphrey Street in Ince as he ‘didn’t want the family address involved as he was due to appear in court.’ After moving out, contact between David and his family was ‘minimal’. One of his final interactions was with his father, who told the court that David had texted him a happy birthday message but did not respond to enquiries about his impending court case. “I asked him what he was doing? Where he was up to? If he was okay? But I didn’t get a response,” his father told the court.
Notes Found
David’s body was found inside his flat, the court was told. Kathryn Tyldesley from GMP’s Wigan division told the court that two notes were found in his room. One was placed on a table with his driving licence, and there was a separate envelope addressed to his mother. One of the letters served as a ‘partial’ last will and testament and with both messages described as ‘apologies’ to his family.
Missed Opportunities
During the case, a number of ‘missed opportunities’ were highlighted in the handling of David’s case within the police and NHS. The court heard how the NHS’ recovery needs assessment service failed to deal with David in a timely manner despite there being multiple referrals from David’s GP. Meetings were scheduled too far ahead, and it was judged that there was not enough ‘clinical curiosity’ from staff to find his new address and contact details after he failed to attend clinical assessments. “The most critical factor for me, is that we’ve not offered an assessment to David,” said operational manager, Susan Bryan.
After he was arrested, police classed David as ‘medium risk’ due to the nature of his case. The court heard how he told health care professionals at the police station that he felt ‘rubbish’ after being arrested and detained. While on bail, a GMP officer was tasked with carrying out regular welfare checks. The court heard that while the officer planned to contact David ‘monthly’ the check-ups were ‘sporadic’ and done via text, which was viewed as ‘not best practice’. The family also questioned the officer’s decision to delete text messages after David’s care was passed on to the sexual offenders management unit once he pleaded guilty to his charges.
Toxicology and Conclusion
Toxicologist reports found there to be no alcohol in David’s system and there had been ‘some cannabis use’ but of a low dosage. In a narrative conclusion, Coroner Stephen Teasdale accepted David’s cause of death as suicide. He told the court that David had ‘made that decision because he wished to spare the family.’ Mr Teasdale pointed to one of the notes being dated in early September 2025 and said, ‘That’s a time where he may have been thinking he was going to court.’ Mr Teasdale said David ‘left his notes that had orders and explanations,’ and ‘in his note to his mother, what he intends to do and how it’s nobody’s fault.’
