A MAN believed to be in the Highlands has been revealed to be due to go on trial for allegedly raping two women, with police warning the public not to approach him.
Gym owner and alleged rapist James Clacher, 53, has been missing from his home in Bellshill since May 30. He was last spotted in Airdrie around 4pm on Monday, May 30.
Known to hike, his car was found in the Loch Long car park in Arrochar earlier this month. Police believe he may have also travelled through the Tyndrum area, popular with hikers. They have so far spoken to more than 90 people in the Argyll area.
Clacher is due to stand trial in January 2023, accused of raping two women he met on Tinder at addresses in Troon and Glasgow.
The first alleged rape is said to have been committed in August 2019 in the Ayrshire town. The second complaint was an alleged rape at a flat in the Gorbals in September 2020.
There are concerns now that he could have made his way onto the West Highland Way, popular with lone female hikers.
The Lanarkshire Police Department put out a revised statement on social media which said: “Officers are continuing to appeal for information to trace James Clacher, 53, who is missing from Bellshill.
“On Tuesday, June 7, a week on from when James was reporting missing, officers spoke to 90 people in the Arrochar and Tyndrum areas as searches for him continue.
“Members of the public are asked not to approach Mr Clacher but to call police on 101 quoting reference 0985 of 31 May 2022, if they have any information.”
Clacher is 5ft 6ins, white, of athletic build and bald.
When he was last seen he was believed to be wearing grey cargo-style trousers with a black jacket or poncho, a black hat, and black trainers.
