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February 13, 2007updated 17 May 2007 11:30am

“Paedophile” found dead after appearing on TV crime appeal

By Press Gazette

A suspected paedophile was found dead beside railway tracks just hours after he was featured in a television appeal, police confirmed today.

Mark Ross was found dead at Aldwarke Junction, Rotherham, South Yorkshire, in the early hours of Thursday morning.

Hours earlier – on Wednesday evening – he had been named on the BBC’s Crimewatch programme in connection with downloading child pornography.

Ross, 42, had been arrested in connection with these offences in July last year but had failed to answer bail.

His photo appeared on the Crimewatch show as part of its Most Wanted board.

In a statement, South Yorkshire Police said: “Mark James Ross, who was found at the Aldwarke Junction in Rawmarsh, Rotherham, was the same Mark Ross that appeared on the BBC’s Crimewatch last week.

“He was arrested for allegations of downloading indecent images of children.

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“He was arrested in July 2006.

“He failed to answer bail.”

A spokeswoman said Ross was known to have had connections in the Rotherham area.

But she said she could not confirm any other details about the case or Ross.

It is understood he was found after a train driver reported a collision with a body.

An inquest into Ross’s death has yet to open.

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

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