Mr Wilbee disappeared in August

Alastair Wilbee, 47, vanished from his home in Shanklin, Isle of Wight, on 28 August, the night before the allegations were reported in his local paper.

His wife Gail is sure that a badly decomposed body found in Cowleaze, near Shanklin on Thursday afternoon is that of her husband.

She has now called for the anonymity of those accused of sex offences to be protected.

It is no co-incidence that my husband disappeared the night before his name was to be published in the press. Gail Wilbee

In a statement issued on Saturday morning, she said: "Although there is no official confirmation, the body is certainly that of my husband.

"My children and I are both distressed and angry at the futile death of my husband.

"He was a caring and loving father, a loyal husband and a well-respected head teacher."

Mr Wilbee, a father of two teenage children, appeared before Newport Magistrates' Court on August 21 charged with indecent assault against a boy aged under 14.

Police said at the time that Mr Wilbee, who ran Summerfields Primary School in Newport, Isle of Wight, emphatically denied the allegation.

Gail Wilbee said it was likely her husband took his own life, after being unable to cope with the repercussions of the allegation, made by a child on a residential trip.

'Caring action'

The statement said: "My husband was devastated that a caring action he had taken to ensure the safety and comfort of a child, whilst in loco parentis, should backfire."

She said teachers in particular should be given further safeguards to protect them when in a position of professional trust.

"A key move in this direction would be to grant anonymity until proven guilty.

"It is no co-incidence that my husband disappeared the night before his name was to be published in the press.

"He felt this publicity would result in a loss of standing and respect within the community that was irretrievable and that even if he was found innocent at a later date, his professional life as a head teacher had realistically come to an end."

Hampshire Police have refused to comment on the finding of the body, saying the state of the corpse made "visual identification difficult".

They said forensic tests will be carried out next week to help in its identification.