A man found dead in a North Yorkshire river appeared in court only weeks ago after terrifying his estranged wife and children at gunpoint on a Scottish golf course.

Ex-farmer Ian Parker's body was found in the River Derwent at Forge Valley, East Ayton, near Scarborough, by a woman walking her dog.

An inquest on the 49-year-old man was opened and adjourned at Malton this week.

John Broadbridge, deputy coroner for North Yorkshire East, adjourned the inquest to allow time for further inquiries, and said: "The cause of death appears to have been drowning."

On May 18, Stranraer Sheriff Court in Scotland was told that terrified golfers fled the St Medan's course at Port William, Galloway, when Mr Parker armed himself with a rifle and made towards his estranged wife, Christine, and sons James and Graeme, on a quad bike.

Police who arrested him found the gun in a field at Knock Farm, Monreith, which adjoins the course and was his home at the time.Mr Parker pleaded guilty to breaching the peace by persistently following his wife and sons on May 3 last year.

He admitted failing to store firearms and ammunition securely and also pleaded guilty to three charges of causing unnecessary suffering to animals by failing to exercise reasonable care and supervision; permitting carcasses to remain unburied; and causing unnecessary suffering to other livestock.

Sheriff James Smith warned Mr Parker about his future conduct and imposed a 300-hour community service order.

In court in Scotland last month, Mr Parker's address was given as The Mount, Malton, which is where his father, Dr John Parker and mother Kathleen, live.

But in this week's inquest his address was given as "no fixed abode".

Coroner's officer Sandra Pennock said: "He did originally come to live with his parents, but he hadn't been living there for a lot of months."

Mr Parker, a divorced man, was in the first year of a business and management course at University College, Scarborough.

College spokesman Phillip Sowter said: "Our thoughts are with Ian's family and friends at this time, and we have offered to provide any support they feel we can give them."

Mr Sowter described Parker as an able student who applied high standards to his work.

"He had a great strength of character and, though he was a first-year and had only been with us for a short time, he had a wide circle of friends and will be greatly missed."

Dr and Mrs Parker declined to comment.

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