Two separate rape investigations in the UK have cast a harsh spotlight on sexual violence, the challenges of law enforcement, and the support networks available to survivors. Both cases, though unconnected, have sparked public concern and renewed calls for vigilance and community cooperation in tackling sexual assault.
In Scotland, the story of James Clacher, a 57-year-old former gym boss from Airdrie in North Lanarkshire, reads almost like the plot of a crime drama. According to BBC, Clacher was sentenced in October 2025 to eight years in prison after being convicted of raping two women he met through dating apps. His crimes spanned several years and locations, and his efforts to evade justice added a layer of complexity and distress for his victims.
Clacher first came to the attention of police after he went missing in May 2022. He left behind a false suicide note, leading many to believe he had taken his own life. His abandoned car was found at Loch Long in Argyll, and for two years, his whereabouts remained a mystery. During that time, Police Scotland issued public appeals and followed up on leads, but it wasn’t until an anonymous tip-off that the case broke open. The tipster reported that Clacher was living in Nerja, a town on Spain’s Costa Del Sol.
Authorities in Spain acted swiftly. The Spanish Civil Guard released a dramatic video of Clacher’s arrest in May 2024, showing him being pinned down by officers while he was using gym equipment on a beach. He was then extradited back to Scotland to face trial. Lord Cubie, presiding over the case, remarked that Clacher’s "self-imposed exile" in Spain made the ordeal even worse for his victims, prolonging their suffering and delaying justice.
The details of the assaults are harrowing. Clacher’s first victim met him on the Tinder dating app. She recounted to the court how, within "10 to 15 minutes max" of his arrival at her home in Ayrshire in August 2019, she was attacked. "He grabbed me, pushed me against a wall and sexually assaulted me," she testified. The violence escalated as Clacher forced her upstairs and raped her again in her bedroom. The second victim, who met Clacher on the Bumble app, described a similarly traumatic experience. After a seemingly innocent outing for food and a walk on the beach in September 2020, the pair returned to her flat in Glasgow. She told the court she took off her dress while Clacher removed some of his clothes, but she made it clear she did not want to have sex. "I was scared," she said, explaining how she was pinned against a couch and assaulted.
It was the second victim’s report to police that ultimately led officers to the first victim, strengthening the prosecution’s case. Throughout the trial, Clacher denied the charges, insisting any sexual contact was consensual. The jury disagreed, and the judge sentenced him to eight years in prison, with an additional two years on licence. The sentence was backdated to the time of his arrest in Spain in May 2024.
Clacher’s legal troubles may not be over. Police Scotland confirmed they had received "a report of a possible serious sexual assault in the Cambuslang area in 2017" believed to be related to Clacher. As of October 18, 2025, inquiries into this new allegation were at a very early stage. Detective Inspector Bruce Fyfe of Police Scotland summed up the impact of these crimes, stating, "It is difficult to comprehend the distress and suffering Clacher caused the women in this case."
While the Clacher case highlights the complexities of cross-border law enforcement and the enduring trauma faced by victims, another disturbing incident in England has prompted a different kind of police appeal. In Leeds, a woman was raped in the early hours of Sunday, October 12, 2025, inside the bathroom of the Stone Roses bar, a popular city centre venue. The incident occurred between 2am and 4am, a time when the bar would have been bustling with patrons.
According to British Transport Police, urgent enquiries began after the investigation was passed to them on Thursday, October 16, 2025, once the precise location of the assault had been established. The force released a CCTV image of a man they wish to speak to in connection with the attack. Detective Constable Rob Wyllie issued a direct appeal to the public: "This is a shocking and horrific incident, and we are working at pace to identify and locate who is responsible. I would urge anyone who recognises the man in the image, or who may have spoken to him on the night, to get in touch with us as soon as possible, as we believe he may be able to assist us with our investigation."
Police are urging anyone with information to contact British Transport Police by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 146 of 16 October 2025. Alternatively, those wishing to remain anonymous can reach out to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. The force has emphasized the importance of witnesses coming forward, as even the smallest detail could prove vital in identifying and apprehending the perpetrator.
Support for victims of sexual violence remains a critical aspect of the response to such crimes. In both Scotland and England, organizations like Rape Crisis England and Wales offer confidential help lines and online chat tools for those affected. The message from authorities and support groups is clear: survivors are not alone, and help is available.
These cases have reignited conversations about safety in social spaces, the responsibilities of venue operators, and the broader societal challenge of preventing sexual violence. While the criminal justice process can be slow and fraught with difficulty, the courage of survivors in coming forward remains a driving force in holding offenders accountable.
As investigations continue in both Scotland and Leeds, police hope for further breakthroughs. For now, the stories of James Clacher’s victims and the woman assaulted in the Stone Roses bar serve as stark reminders of the work that remains in ensuring that justice is served and that survivors have the support they need to rebuild their lives.