Police investigate new 'assault' report over jailed dating app rapist

Police are investigating a new report of a possible serious sexual assault relating to a former gym boss who was jailed after raping two women.

James Clacher carried out the sex attacks in 2019 and 2020 after meeting his victims on the dating apps Tinder and Bumble.

He faked his own death and fled Scotland in a bid to escape justice, and was sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment earlier this month.

Now, Police Scotland have confirmed officers have received a report of a possible serious sexual assault in the Cambuslang area in 2017.

Gym boss James Clacher was last seen in Airdrie with his car found at the Loch Long car park in Arrochar, Argyll, on May 31, 2022. Police Scotland

It is understood that the report relates to Clacher. Enquiries are said to be at a very early stage.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “On Wednesday, October 3, 2025, we received a report of a possible serious sexual assault in the Cambuslang area in 2017.

“Enquiries are at a very early stage.”

Clacher, 57, was reported missing from Airdrie in North Lanarkshire on May 30, 2022. He was facing trial on rape charges at the time.

His car, a Suzuki Swift, was found at the Loch Long car park in Arrochar, Argyll and Bute, the following day.

Despite trying to convince the authorities of his death, he was later traced to Spain.

Officers posing as tourists apprehended Clacher in the region of Nerja in the Costa Del Sol while he was exercising on a public beach on May 21, 2024.

It followed an investigation between Britain’s National Crime Agency and the Civil Guard’s UCO unit, which established he was “well integrated” into the community.

He reportedly told a police officer on his extradition flight back to Scotland that he “survived on berries and puddle water” in the wild while initially on the run.

Detective Inspector Bruce Fyfe said, “It’s difficult to comprehend the distress and suffering Clacher caused the women in this case.

“Following the missing person report, extensive inquiries were carried out to establish his whereabouts.

“As the investigation into the missing person and sexual offences progressed, it became clear he had left the country to evade justice after faking his own death.

“We worked closely with our international law enforcement colleagues, including the National Crime Agency and Spanish police and the perpetrator was subject to extraditions proceedings.”