THE former head of Hampshire FA found guilty of historic sex crimes against children has been found dead.

The body of Ray Barnes, a former magistrate and special constable, was discovered in a car park outside WestQuay Shopping Centre in Southampton early yesterday morning.

The 74-year-old had been missing since Monday and police had been trying to locate him since then.

The former chairman of Hampshire Football Association, who became a life vice-president of the organisation, had his reputation left in tatters after he was convicted of five charges of indecently assaulting three boys earlier this month.

Police said they are not treating Barnes' death as suspicious.

Read the full story and reaction in today's Daily Echo.