RAY BARNES SHAMES SOUTHAMPTON AND WESTON WITH TRAGIC SUICIDE AFTER SEX CRIME CONVICTION
| Red Rose Database
Southampton Weston Sexual Abuser
In a heartbreaking turn of events, Ray Barnes, a 74-year-old former football official from Southampton and Weston, took his own life just days after being convicted of serious historic sex crimes involving minors. The tragic incident occurred at the NCP car park located on Western Esplanade in Southampton city centre, where Barnes leapt from the top level of the 11-storey structure.
Details from the Southampton Coroners Court revealed that Barnes, who had previously served as a magistrate, special constable, and a dedicated figure in grassroots football, was found dead after the inquest into his death. The court heard that Barnes had been found guilty of five counts of indecent assault against three boys, with offences spanning from 1964 to 1983. These crimes included assaults on children as young as 11, and took place in various locations including his car, his home, and a flat in Southampton.
His sentencing was scheduled for the same day as his death. Following his conviction, authorities attempted to contact Barnes but were unsuccessful. His family later issued a missing person alert after he failed to return from a shopping trip. Law enforcement officials reviewed CCTV footage showing Barnes at a local store where he had gone to purchase newspapers. The last images captured him walking past John Lewis and the car park, dressed in a flat cap and carrying a carrier bag.
Further investigation revealed that Barnes had been seen on CCTV walking towards the car park, where he was later found to have a bag containing half a bottle of brandy. The coroner, Keith Wiseman, noted that the court case had placed an enormous emotional strain on Barnes, who was a married father of four. A private letter left by Barnes to his family, outlining his intentions, was a key factor in the coroner’s decision to record a verdict of suicide.
Barnes died on December 13 of the previous year from multiple injuries. His criminal record included disturbing allegations of indecently assaulting children, with one victim as young as 11. Jurors at Bournemouth Crown Court heard that Barnes had engaged in inappropriate discussions about art with an 11-year-old before asking him to strip so he could draw him, leading to assault. He also befriended a 14-year-old, accompanying him to football matches, and during one incident at his Weston residence, he woke to find himself being indecently assaulted.
The third victim, aged 16, was assaulted while Barnes was driving along the M3 back to Southampton, during which Barnes allowed the youth to take the steering wheel before assaulting him. Despite these convictions, Barnes was granted bail and was placed on the sex offenders’ register, but the overwhelming guilt and shame ultimately led to his tragic decision to end his life.
Details from the Southampton Coroners Court revealed that Barnes, who had previously served as a magistrate, special constable, and a dedicated figure in grassroots football, was found dead after the inquest into his death. The court heard that Barnes had been found guilty of five counts of indecent assault against three boys, with offences spanning from 1964 to 1983. These crimes included assaults on children as young as 11, and took place in various locations including his car, his home, and a flat in Southampton.
His sentencing was scheduled for the same day as his death. Following his conviction, authorities attempted to contact Barnes but were unsuccessful. His family later issued a missing person alert after he failed to return from a shopping trip. Law enforcement officials reviewed CCTV footage showing Barnes at a local store where he had gone to purchase newspapers. The last images captured him walking past John Lewis and the car park, dressed in a flat cap and carrying a carrier bag.
Further investigation revealed that Barnes had been seen on CCTV walking towards the car park, where he was later found to have a bag containing half a bottle of brandy. The coroner, Keith Wiseman, noted that the court case had placed an enormous emotional strain on Barnes, who was a married father of four. A private letter left by Barnes to his family, outlining his intentions, was a key factor in the coroner’s decision to record a verdict of suicide.
Barnes died on December 13 of the previous year from multiple injuries. His criminal record included disturbing allegations of indecently assaulting children, with one victim as young as 11. Jurors at Bournemouth Crown Court heard that Barnes had engaged in inappropriate discussions about art with an 11-year-old before asking him to strip so he could draw him, leading to assault. He also befriended a 14-year-old, accompanying him to football matches, and during one incident at his Weston residence, he woke to find himself being indecently assaulted.
The third victim, aged 16, was assaulted while Barnes was driving along the M3 back to Southampton, during which Barnes allowed the youth to take the steering wheel before assaulting him. Despite these convictions, Barnes was granted bail and was placed on the sex offenders’ register, but the overwhelming guilt and shame ultimately led to his tragic decision to end his life.