Overview
- The Crown Prosecution Service withdrew the case at Taunton Magistrates' Court on Monday after police confirmed on Tuesday that Simon Knott, 57, had been found dead at his home in Ogwell.
- Devon and Cornwall Police said the death is not being treated as suspicious after officers forced entry during a welfare check and paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene.
- Knott had faced three counts of indecent assault and one count of sexual assault linked to alleged incidents between 1990 and 2013 that were reported to police in 2024.
- A Newton Abbot hearing set for March 19 was moved out of the force area and rescheduled for March 23 in Taunton to allow CPS inquiries before the prosecution was discontinued.
- Police notified the Independent Office for Police Conduct in line with statutory duties and are preparing a file for the coroner, while noting the alleged conduct was reported as off-duty.