Justice is failing victims like me

A WOMAN has slammed a judge who described a 10-year sentence for her rapist - who went on the run after faking his own death - as “excessive”.

- BY JENNIFER HYLAND

Double rapist James Clacher was convicted last month of raping the mum, known as Elle, in August 2019, and another woman in September 2020.

In May 2022, while awaiting trial, the 57-year-old staged his own death and fled Scotland, before being found in Spain after two years and extradited.

The former gym boss, from Bellshill in Lanarkshire, was found guilty of the violent attacks on both women last month following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow.

Sentencing him at the High Court in Edinburgh last week, Lord Cubie said he had considered the “powerful” victim impact statements from both women who had been left devastated and “feeling broken” by his actions.