**Fugitive Rapist Jailed After Faking Death to Escape** James Clacher, a 57-year-old rapist who faked his own death to evade justice, has been sentenced to eight years in prison. Clacher, previously convicted of raping two women, used dating sites to target his victims, committing the assaults in their homes in 2019 and 2020. In May 2022, while facing charges, Clacher disappeared after abandoning his car in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. He left behind a suicide note that misled authorities and blamed one of his victims, claiming she would not stop pursuing him until he was dead or imprisoned. Following his disappearance, speculation arose that he had taken his own life. However, Clacher was actually planning a calculated escape to Spain. A tip-off from the public led Police Scotland to locate Clacher in the southern Spanish town of Nerja, where he was arrested while exercising at a gym. He had been living under the alias 'Johnny Wilson' and was working as a gardener and running yoga classes on the beach. Dramatic footage captured the moment plain-clothes officers apprehended him mid-workout. Clacher was extradited back to Scotland to stand trial, where he was convicted of two counts of rape. At the Edinburgh High Court, he received a 10-year extended sentence, comprising eight years in prison and two years on licence. He is also prohibited from contacting his victims for a decade and will be placed on the sex offenders' register indefinitely. During the trial, the court heard harrowing accounts from his victims. One woman described being assaulted shortly after meeting Clacher on Tinder, while another recounted a similar experience after matching with him on Bumble. In his remarks, presiding judge Lord Cubie condemned Clacher's actions and noted the impact on the victims. Detective Constable Jamie Crossan, who accompanied Clacher back to Scotland, reported that Clacher was "very friendly and chatty" during the flight. He detailed his escape plan, which included hiding in a truck to reach France and cycling to Spain. Clacher expressed paranoia about being recognised and even considered building a kayak to flee to Morocco. Clacher's case highlights the lengths some individuals will go to avoid accountability for their actions, as well as the ongoing challenges faced by victims of sexual violence in seeking justice.