By Jenny Barwise

Last updated at 11:31, Friday, 13 July 2012

A convicted sex offender has been found hanged.

John ‘Nipper’ Davidson had recently been released from jail after serving a sentence for a sexual offence against a 16-year-old.

The 45-year-old, who has in the past lived at Ellenfoot Drive in Maryport, was found dead at an address in Carlisle on Saturday. His sister, Jacqueline Fletcher, identified his body.

Mr Davidson had originally been charged with raping the girl, which he denied, but this was dropped when he admitted the less serious offence of sexual assault.

In March, Carlisle Crown Court heard how he had invited a 16-year-old girl to his home where the offence took place.

Afterwards he called a taxi for her and she went home.

Mr Davidson, who had several previous convictions for violence, but none for sexual offences, pleaded guilty to sexual assault and was sentenced to 16 months in jail and put on the Sex Offenders’ Register.

The judge also imposed an order banning Mr Davidson from contacting the girl for the next 10 years.

North and west Cumbria deputy coroner Simon Ward opened and adjourned an inquest into Mr Davidson’s death earlier this week.

First published at 11:24, Friday, 13 July 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk