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 is that of her husband.

David Hart, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT), is now backing Mr Wilbee's wife's call for people in positions of responsibility to be granted protection when they are accused of sexual offences.

There is no doubt whatsoever that his death was caused by the publicity he received David Hart, NAHT

He said: "I totally support her call for people who have been accused of child abuse to be given anonymity until the conclusion of legal proceedings.

"Alastair Wilbee was a member of the National Association of Head Teachers.

"He was a good head running a good school and his death is an absolute tragedy and our deepest sympathies go to his widow.

"There is no doubt whatsoever that his death was caused by the publicity he received and we have now reached the stage where the scales of justice are weighed against the accused and in favour of the accuser.

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

"We have had too many cases of malicious accusation made and even where our members have had their suspension lifted or have been acquitted, it has proved to be very difficult indeed for them to resume their careers because they have suffered irreparable damage from publicity."

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.

Mrs Wilbee said: "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."