AN INQUIRY could be launched after a man leapt to his death minutes after being charged with sex offences by North Yorkshire police.

The man, thought to be in his 30s and from Scarborough, died instantly on jumping from the town's infamous Valley Bridge.

Scarborough police had charged him and released him from custody only 30 minutes before.

A second man was seen on the bridge at the time, and police at first believed both had climbed on out of bravado.

But it is now thought the second man, whom they are now anxious to trace, was probably trying to dissuade the man from his death fall.

"We received numerous 999 calls within seconds," said a police spokesman. "A lot of people saw the incident both from the bridge and below in Valley Road and we are anxious to hear from them.

"North Yorkshire police have decided to voluntarily refer the matter to the Independent Police Complaints Authority, who have yet to decide whether they will supervise an inquiry."

The man was seen to jump from the bridge, which links the town centre with the South Cliff, at about 5.30pm on Saturday.

He had been released on police bail after being charged.

Anybody with information is asked to contact 01723 500300.

Updated: 13:16 Monday, August 13, 2001