A YOUNG woman died as a result of asphyxiation after a pervert encouraged her to engage in “dangerous and degrading” sex acts over the internet, an inquest heard.

Tragic Hope Barden, 21, was lured into carrying out extreme "sexually-related role play" by warped Jerome Dangar, 45, who failed to get help as he watched her die online.

She had began working in the porn industry as a way to make extra money after completing a degree in adolescent mental health.

But an inquest heard the webcam girl was found dead by her flat mate at an address in Wood Street, Burton-upon-Trent, Staffordshire, on March 15 last year.

Her phone was examined and it showed she had been involved in an online relationship with Dangar, who paid for her to perform sexual dangerous acts on herself.

A coroner heard how she attracted the attentions of pub landlord Dangar on a paid-for adult site but over a three-month period his requests became more extreme.

Detectives found he had been online while she died and he made no attempt to raise any emergency response as she passed away.

A post-mortem revealed Hope, who also worked as a carer for people with learning disabilities, had died from asphyxiation.

Dangar, who ran the King Arthur’s Arms Inn pub in Tintagel, was arrested in connection with her death in May last year.

He was separately convicted of possession of extreme pornographic images in January and jailed for 15 months at at Truro Crown Court.

The court was told the publican, who was hooked on snuff movies, was found in possession of ‘the worst images it is possible to imagine’.

Prosecutor Philip Lee said the images showed a "pre-occupation with strangulation, stabbing, torture, asphyxiation and death."

Dangar was later found dead in his jail cell in HMP Dartmoor in April. He was due to be released from prison in August.

On Wednesday, June 26, South Staffordshire Coroner Andrew Haigh recorded a conclusion of unlawful killing at Burton Town Hall.

It emerged that just months before her death, Hope had chillingly wrote on Facebook about a stalker.

On January 6, 2017, she posted: “Hello stalker. I’m doing fine, thanks for checking up on me. #wastehistime2017”.

After the hearing, Hope’s mother Kate Barden paid tribute to her daughter and warned against the dangers of working in the unregulated adult movie business.

The 47-year-old performing arts teacher, from Penzance, Cornwall, has also campaigned to raise awareness about suicide since her daughter’s death.

She also worked as a foster carer and theatre maker in Cornwall while Hope’s big sister Lily, 26, is a volunteer for a charity that feeds the homeless and vulnerable people.

Ms Barden said: “Hope was a beautiful, intelligent young woman.

"She had completed her foundation degree in adolescent mental health and had recently returned from working in Norway.

"Hope had paid work in the Burton area as a carer for people with learning disabilities.

“Hope had been earning extra money working in the online adult film industry.

"Unregulated, this industry serves no one except those who wish to perpetrate violence against women.

"Hope became the subject of interest of a regular user of the site who paid her to perform sexual acts via the internet, which over three months of contact escalated into degrading and dangerous situations.

“We are sorely disappointed that this case can no longer bring any legal justice for Hope. Had this gone to court, this would be a landmark case, the first of its kind in the UK. As it is, we will be issuing our report and findings to every police force in the UK in the trust that should a dreadful situation like this arise again, there is a record of how we approached such a sensitive and difficult issue.

“Anyone with daughters or other relatives involved in this terrible industry must be aware of the risk of harm. A duty of care exists in any relationship. If someone is obviously in danger, one has a legal obligation to take steps to help. In this tragic case, Hope was left to die. Hope’s family and friends have been devastated.

"They sincerely wish to thank Staffordshire Police and Devon and Cornwall Police for the enormous amount of time and work undergone during the investigation and for the ongoing support received.”

Detective Inspector John Quilty, of Staffordshire Police, said: "The death of Dangar ultimately prevented prosecutors from charging him in connection with Hope’s death as a result of sexually-related role play. This type of online sexual activity is extremely dangerous and the repeated persuasion and dangerous requests that Dangar placed on Hope, ultimately led to her death.

“Hope was a 21-year-old woman and her death was tragic. Throughout the investigation our officers have remained in contact with Hope’s family and have updated them with details. Our thoughts remain with them. We are also grateful for the support from Hope’s friends, as well as her family.

“Staffordshire Police continues to investigate with a view to understanding the behaviours of those who use the internet to engage in such dangerous acts.

"The tragic death of Hope, and the potential consequences for Dangar, should send a strong deterrent message to those who engage in such dangerous sexual acts and make requests of others whilst online, anywhere in the UK.”

SWNS