A man accused of multiple rapes allegedly staged his own death and lived in hiding for two years before being arrested in Spain, the High Court in Glasgow has heard.
James Clacher, 57, is on trial accused of raping two women, one in Troon, South Ayrshire, in 2019 and another in Glasgow in 2020. He also faces allegations of sexually assaulting two further women at Church Gym Wellness and Fitness Centre in Airdrie, North Lanarkshire.
Jurors were told that in May 2022, while facing court proceedings, Clacher was reported missing. His abandoned car was later discovered in Argyll and Bute. Inside, police found a suicide note and cut-up bank cards, according to testimony from Sergeant Craig Brown. The note reportedly claimed Clacher was ending his life due to the “pain and suffering” caused to his family and accused one of the complainants of pursuing him until “I’m dead or I’m in prison.”
A manhunt was launched, with detectives initially believing he was hiding in the hills near his vehicle. Jurors were shown footage of his eventual arrest in Nerja, Malaga, Spain, in 2024.
Detective Constable Jamie Crossan testified that during the flight back to Scotland, Clacher described how he staged his death and survived on berries and puddle water while in hiding. He allegedly recounted travelling first to Inverness, then through eastern Scotland, across England, and eventually into France in the back of a lorry. From there, he cycled to Spain, where he integrated into the community in Nerja. Crossan added that Clacher said he considered building a kayak to cross to Morocco after fearing his identity had been exposed.
Jurors also heard that Clacher disappeared after learning he would be interviewed regarding two additional sexual assault allegations beyond the existing rape charges.
Clacher has entered a special defence, claiming that any sexual activity with the complainants was consensual. His trial at the High Court in Glasgow continues.
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