A convicted-self-stabbing/” title=”Man … of Attempted Trump Assassination Attempts Suicide Immediately After Verdict”>man convicted of sexually assaulting two women who attempted to escape punishment by faking his death and fleeing to Spain has now been brought to justice.
James Clacher committed two separate sexual assaults in August 2019 and September 2020. However, as his trial approached, he disappeared from Airdrie, North Lanarkshire, in May 2022, leading authorities to believe he had died.
At 57 years old, Clacher orchestrated a false death scenario and sought refuge in Spain, successfully evading capture for nearly two years.
In May 2024, undercover officers located him, resulting in his extradition back to Scotland where he was ultimately found guilty of the offenses.
Last month, Clacher was convicted on two counts of sexual assault and has now been sentenced at Edinburgh’s High Court to eight years imprisonment, followed by two years on licence.
Presiding Judge Lord Cubie condemned Clacher’s evasion tactics as “cowardly,” highlighting the “remarkable similarities” between the two assaults.
Both attacks occurred within the victims’ residences after meeting Clacher through a dating platform, where he exploited them for his own selfish desires.
Lord Cubie remarked, “The assaults caught the victims off guard, leaving them uncertain about how to react.”
“Clacher continues to deny any guilt, showing little understanding or remorse, which poses a significant risk to the public.”
In one instance, Clacher deceitfully claimed his brother had suffered a heart attack, a manipulative tactic aimed at pressuring the victim into silence, which the judge described as “reprehensible.”
Authorities discovered Clacher’s Suzuki Swift abandoned in the Loch Long car park at Arrochar, Argyll and Bute, in 2022.
He attempted to convince officials that he had taken his own life, but investigations later traced him to Nerja on Spain’s Costa del Sol.
According to Sky News, a viewer spotted Clacher in the area and alerted the police.
Spanish Civil Guard officers apprehended him while he was exercising on a local beach, nearly two years after his disappearance.
Living under an alias, Clacher had integrated with a community of British expatriates in the region.
Prosecutor Fiona Kirkby stated, “James Clacher sexually assaulted two women in their homes and then went to extraordinary lengths to avoid facing the consequences of his heinous crimes.”
“I commend the courage of the victims for coming forward. I hope they find solace knowing that Clacher’s efforts to obstruct justice have been unsuccessful.”
“This case serves as a warning to offenders that the Crown Office collaborates with international partners to ensure accountability, regardless of where perpetrators flee.”
Detective Inspector Bruce Fyfe detailed the extensive efforts to locate Clacher after his disappearance.
Fyfe explained, “Following the report of Clacher’s disappearance, comprehensive investigations were launched, involving specialist teams such as the canine unit, marine division, financial crime investigators, and air support.”
“It soon became apparent that Clacher had fabricated his death and left the country to avoid prosecution.”
“Thanks to close cooperation with international law enforcement agencies, including the National Crime Agency and Spanish police, he was extradited back to Scotland to face trial.”
“This case underscores our unwavering dedication to pursuing serious offenders and ensuring they cannot escape justice, no matter where they attempt to hide.”
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