Rapist who faked his own death and fled Scotland jailed for eight years
Last updated 1st Oct 2025
James Clacher, 57, was found convicted at Glasgow High Court last month, for the serious sexual assault of two separate women.
The attacks took place in 2019 and 2020, on first dates organised through dating apps. The women were attacked inside their own homes.
Clacher, from North Lanarkshire, was reported missing in 2022, when he faced trial for rape. It soon transpired he had fled Scotland, faking his own death to assume the false name of 'Johnny Wilson'. He set up in the Costa del Sol as a gardener.
He was eventually apprehended on a Spanish beach by the Guardia Civil last May - almost two years exactly since he disappeared - and was extradited back to Scotland to face trial.
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".
He added 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".
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."
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."