A high-ranking former Kent police chief at the centre of an investigation into allegations he sexually harassed female colleagues took his own life, a coroner has ruled.

David Ainsworth, who rose to the rank of assistant chief constable at Kent after 22 years in the force, had relocated to Wiltshire at the time of the investigation.

He was facing up to 24 allegations from women across the two forces.

The then Deputy Chief Constable with Wiltshire police was found hanged while under investigation for making sexist remarks to female colleagues.

Brian Moore, the former chief constable of Wiltshire Police, said the force had offered support to David Ainsworth in the weeks before his death.

The inquest heard Mr Ainsworth felt the force was "gunning for him" and feared he would "lose everything" as a result of the investigations.

But his former boss Mr Moore - now head of the troubled UK Border Force - said Mr Ainsworth's welfare was taken seriously.

Trowbridge Coroner's Court in Wiltshire was told investigations into alleged sexist behaviour covered DCC Ainsworth’s two years with Wiltshire Police AND his 22 years at Kent.

The high-flying officer - who earned £110,00 a year and was nicknamed ‘The Brain’ due to his intelligence - was accused of telling one female ‘nice buttons’, while looking at her top, in one of the claims.

Coroner David Ridley heard the allegations relating to Mr Ainsworth's time in Kent surrounded two text messages - but the court was not told the exact nature of the claims.

But the inquest was told yesterday Mr Ainsworth had been researching suicide methods on the internet up to one month before he died.

The information was revealed through examinations of the officer's personal computer.

They included viewing websites on hanging and started on February 25 - shortly after he received statements of those making allegations against him.

The last search was made on March 21 - one day before he died.

DCC Ainsworth’s partner Joanna Howes previously told the inquest how she found her boyfriend hanging in the garage of their cottage on March 22.

Mr Ainsworth, 49, was removed from regular duties last September as South Wales Police conducted an external inquiry. He joined Kent Police in 1986, before leaving to work in Wiltshire.

While in Kent, he took on a number of roles, including head of the force inspectorate, area commander at north Kent and head of the force communications centre.

David Ridley, coroner for Wiltshire and Swindon, recorded a verdict Mr Ainsworth had taken his own life.