Rapist who faked his own death to avoid prison is finally jailed six years on

A rapist who faked his own death and fled to Spain to escape justice after attacking two women has finally been sentenced.

James Clacher raped two women in August 2019 and September 2020, but he was reported missing from Airdrie in North Lanarkshire in May 2022 as he was facing trial.

The 57-year-old faked his own death and hid in Spain, where he managed to avoid justice for two years.

Undercover police officers found him in May 2024 and he was extradited back to Scotland where he was finally convicted of the rapes.

Clacher was found guilty of two counts of rape last month, and he’s now been sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh to eight years in prison, with two years on licence.

Judge Lord Cubie called Clacher’s attempt to escape justice ‘cowardly’ and said the similarities between the two rape cases were ‘striking’.

Both attacks took place in the victim’s homes after they met Clacher on a dating app, when he used his victims for his own ‘self-serving’ needs.

Lord Cubie said: ‘These attacks took the victims by surprise, they were confused about how to respond.

‘You continue to deny any wrongdoing, so there is limited insight, no remorse and considerable risk to others.’

In one case Clacher lied about his brother having a heart attack, a ‘despicable’ act to try and pressure his victim into ‘backing down’.

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Clacher’s car, a Suzuki Swift, was found at the Loch Long car park in Arrochar, Argyll and Bute, in 2022.

He was trying to convince the authorities he had taken his own life, but he was later traced to Nerja in the Costa del Sol.

Sky News said one of their viewers had seen him there and passed the tip-off on to police.

Spanish Civil Guard arrested him while he was working out on a beach in the town, almost exactly two years after he disappeared.

He was living in Spain under a fake name and had made friends with other British immigrants living in the area.

Prosecutor Fiona Kirkby said: ‘James Clacher raped two women in their own homes then went to great lengths to avoid the consequences of his despicable actions.

‘I commend the victims for their bravery in reporting their experiences. I hope they can find some comfort in the fact that Clacher’s attempts to thwart investigation and prosecution have failed.

‘This should remind other offenders that (the Crown Office) will work with partners at home and abroad to ensure justice is served.’

Detective Inspector Bruce Fyfe described the wide-ranging investigation to find Clacher after he was reported missing, explaining: ‘Extensive inquiries were carried out after Clacher was reported missing, with support from specialist units including the dog branch, marine unit, financial investigation unit and air support unit.

‘However, it later became clear that he had faked his death and left the country in an attempt to evade justice.

‘Through close co-operation with international law enforcement colleagues, including the National Crime Agency and Spanish police, he was extradited back to Scotland to stand trial.

‘I hope this case clearly demonstrates our commitment to investigating such serious crimes and pursuing those who try to evade prosecution, no matter where they go.’

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