Rapist who faked his own death and fled to Spain jailed for eight years

A man who faked his own death and fled Scotland in a bid to escape justice after raping two women has been jailed for eight years.

James Clacher was convicted last month on two charges relating to the rape of two women – which took place in August 2019 and September 2020.

He was reported missing from Airdrie in North Lanarkshire in May 2022, facing trial for rape at the time.

Clacher was later traced in Spain and extradited back to Scotland.

At the High Court in Edinburgh on Wednesday, judge Lord Cubie sentenced the 57-year-old to eight years in prison, with a further extended part of the sentence including two years on licence.

The sentence was backdated to the time of his arrest in Spain in May 2024.

Lord Cubie described his attempt to escape justice by going abroad as “cowardly”.

The judge said the “similarities are striking” between the two cases of rape, which both took place in the victims’ homes after they met on dating apps.

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

He noted that in one case, Clacher told a “despicable lie” about his brother having a heart attack after carrying out one of the rapes, with the intent of pressuring the complainer into “backing down”.

The judge said Clacher had used both victims for his own “self-serving” needs.

Lord Cubie said Clacher, a former Army reservist, used his survival experience to try and escape the consequences of his actions.

The judge said: “This was a cowardly action.”

He described the two cases of rape as “devastating”, and said they had left the victims “broken”.

Lord Cubie told him: “You continue to deny any wrongdoing, so there is limited insight, no remorse and considerable risk to others.”

Clacher’s advocate Gail Gianni said her client was aware there was no alternative to a custodial sentence.

She said he had no previous convictions.

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

Clacher, from North Lanarkshire, sought to convince the authorities that he had taken his own life.

However police launched an appeal to locate him and he was later traced to Nerja in the Costa del Sol.

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

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

The broadcaster reported Clacher was living under a new identity and had struck up friendships with other British expats in Nerja.

Prosecutor Fiona Kirkby, who leads on High Court sexual offences for the Crown Office, 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 said there was a wide-ranging investigation to find Clacher after he was reported missing, but it later became clear that he had fled the country.

He said: “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.”