James Clacher, 57, who accused of raping two women, told police he survived on berries and puddle water after staging his own death – then fled to Spain where he was arrested on a beach
A rape suspect told police he survived on berries and puddle water after staging his own death – before fleeing Scotland and hiding for two years in Spain, a court has heard.
James Clacher is accused of raping two women – one in Troon, South Ayrshire, in 2019 and another in Glasgow in 2020. The 57-year-old has pleaded not guilty, insisting any sex was consensual. Clacher was reported missing on May 31, 2022, while facing court proceedings. That same day, his Suzuki Swift was found abandoned at Loch Long car park in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. Inside were his driving licence, two destroyed bank cards, and a handwritten suicide note signed by him. In it, Clacher claimed he was not “ending” things because of the allegations, but due to the “pain and suffering” caused to his family. He blamed his first alleged victim, stating she “will never stop until I’m dead or I’m in prison.”
Police launched a major hunt, believing he was wild camping in the hills. A dog unit was deployed and officers carried out door-to-door checks at local businesses. But Clacher had already vanished.
Two years later, he was arrested on a beach in Nerja, Spain, where the court heard he had “embedded himself in the community.” Dramatic footage caught the moment he was pinned to the sand and arrested by plain-clothes police while he was working out on the beach.
After cuffing Clacher, detectives let him put a t-shirt on before he was transported to a police station where his fingerprint and mugshots were taken, GlasgowLive reported. The footage was released by Spain’s Civil Guard, who revealed that Clacher’s keep-fit obsession proved his downfall and led to his detention in the Costa del Sol tourist resort of Nerja east of Malaga.
Detective Constable Jamie Crossan, who travelled back with him to Scotland, said Clacher was “very friendly and chatty” on the flight. He described in detail how he had faked his own death, moved from Inverness down Scotland’s east coast, crossed into England, and hidden in a truck to reach France. From there, he said he cycled to Spain.
Clacher reportedly told police he befriended a local man who helped him secure work and housing, joined a gym, and even offered personal training. But he admitted becoming paranoid that his face was too well known. According to DC Crossan, Clacher revealed he had considered building a kayak to paddle across the sea to Morocco.
Jurors heard that Clacher disappeared after learning he was to be interviewed over two further sexual offence allegations, in addition to existing rape charges. The High Court in Glasgow was told that two women had previously accused him of inappropriate touching at a gym in Airdrie. Friends, his ex-partner, and his father gave evidence about his behaviour before he vanished in May 2022.
Pals described unusual text messages on the day he went missing, and one said Clacher had recently discussed booking a holiday to Spain. His ex-partner said his mental health had deteriorated, though he spent weekends hiking and camping.
Clacher’s father told the court he contacted police after friends raised concerns, and recalled Clacher saying he could not cope. A will was later recovered from his gym, and £5,500 was withdrawn from a business bank account the day before his disappearance.
The trial continues.