Victoria election: Nationals candidate who died was first charged more than a year ago

Shaun David Gilchrist faced court on serious sex offence in September 2021, months before being selected to contest the seat of Narracan

The Victorian Nationals candidate who died this week only days before he was due to face court on serious sex offences including rape had been charged more than a year ago.

Shaun David Gilchrist was due to face the county court on 30 November charged with one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault ahead of a trial that had been scheduled for next year.

In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. In the UK, Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123. Other international suicide helplines can be found at befrienders.org