Scottish fugitive extradited after arrest during work out on Spanish beach

A Scottish fugitive accused of two rapes has been extradited back to the country after being arrested while exercising on a Spanish beach.

An international warrant was issued for James Clacher after he disappeared from Bellshill on May 30, 2022.

The gym boss was last seen in Airdrie with his car found at the Loch Long car park in Arrochar, Argyll, the following day.

Two years later, the 55-year-old was captured by the Spanish Civil Guard after an international warrant was issued for his arrest.

Officers posing as tourists apprehend Clacher in the region of Nerja 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 subsequently appeared at Spain’s Audiencia National Court in Madrid before he was extradited to Scotland.

He appeared at Glasgow’s High Court on June 10 charged with the rape of two women.

A spokesman for the Civil Guard said: “The operation began when Britain’s National Crime Agency received an anonymous tip-off saying he could be living in Nerja and immediately made contact with the Civil Guard’s UCO unit.

“This information, together with other data about the fugitive which indicated his life was closely linked to sport, enabled officers to trace him to that town.

“They discovered he was well integrated into the sports community.

“Once his identity had been confirmed following discreet surveillance, he was arrested while he practiced calisthenics in a recreational area of Nerja beach.

“This individual, described as dangerous by Scottish Police, was accused of sexually assaulting two women he had met over a dating app.

“His trial was suspended while the search for him began, and he had fled to avoid arrest.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “A 55-year-old man was arrested on an international arrest warrant in Spain on Tuesday, May 21, 2024.

“He has been extradited and was due to appear at Glasgow Court on Friday, June 7, 2024.”