A PETERSFIELD man who was suing Hampshire Police for £1m over allegations that they wrecked his business, has been found dead.
Martin Sparkes, 50, a solicitor, was taking Hampshire Police to court alleging that officers had embarked on a pre-meditated campaign to ruin his business because he defended drug dealers.
Mr Sparkes was found dead last week on a hill overlooking the Somerset town of Castle Cary, where his wife and family moved following the break-up of the coupleÕs marriage last year.
Eight years ago Mr Sparkes was arrested and accused of perverting the cause of justice.
During the two years it took for the case to come to trial Mr Sparkes lost his Bordon-based business and had to sell his home on Bell Hill and move to the Herne Farm Estate to pay for increasing debts.
But the Crown Prosecution ServiceÕs case against him folded due to inadmissible evidence.
Mr Sparkes suffered a breakdown and was put on medication and spent time at St JamesÕ Hospital in Portsmouth.
John Dodd, of Petersfield, a friend of Mr Sparkes, said that he was a Òjolly good chapÓ.
ÒHe was very pleasant and easy going,Ó Mr Dodd said.
Mr Dodd said that the case against Hampshire Police would continue in the wake of Mr SparkesÕ death.
ÒThe case will go on because now the lawsuit will be on behalf of his estate - his three children,Ó he said.