- A man in Teesside, England was arrested in 2017 for allegedly stealing a Greggs sausage roll.
- Police release papers incorrectly stated that he had been arrested for a child sex offense.
- The news caused him to be abused and assaulted, and he was later found dead in an apparent suicide.
A man arrested for stealing sausage rolls is alleged to have killed himself after police release papers incorrectly stated he'd been accused of a child sex offense, an inquest heard.
Brian Temple, 34, was arrested for the alleged theft from British bakery chain Greggs in Teesside, England in 2017, according to Teesside Live.
When discharged, his custody release papers wrongly stated that he had been detained for "engaging 13-15 year old in sexual activity," a court heard, per the outlet.
Temple showed his release papers with a girlfriend without realizing the error, and she told others about the false child sex abuse charge, which led to him becoming a target in his community.
He was verbally abused and physically attacked and was even hit in the head with a golf club, Teesside Live said.
Teesside Coroner Claire Bailey said that Temple was found "hanged under influence of alcohol and drugs" on New Year's Eve 2017. His death could not be ruled a suicide because the drugs in his system might have had an effect on his mindset.
A Cleveland Police spokesperson told the paper: "Cleveland Police offer our deepest sympathies to the family of Mr Temple at this incredibly difficult time."
"Following the tragic death of Mr Temple Cleveland Police have implemented changes to the information people are given on release from custody and we have been fully engaged in the inquest process."
An investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct found that an "incredibly unusual" incident of human error caused the mistake, the inquest heard.
His mother told the court that her son was a "happy go lucky" person who became depressed after the incorrect release papers.
Temple reported the mistake to the police, but further welfare checks and police visits only fuelled the rumors about him, Teesside Live said.
A woman who said she was Temple's girlfriend of five years told the MailOnline that she was not the woman who spread the incorrect information about his charges.
Tasha Grange told the outlet that she was surprised to learn that he might have been involved with another woman.
"If I'd been the one to see his papers I'd have known it was an error. I had known Brian a long time, he was friends with my brothers and over time I fell in love with him. He was a decent and very loving guy and a good dad to his four girls from a previous relationship," she told the outlet.
Grande added that she discovered she was pregnant with Temple's son after his death, who she says is a "constant reminder" of her deceased partner.