A DANGEROUS sex offender who has gone on the run in West Somerset after being released from a life prison sentence has not been seen for more than a week.
Police have warned women in particular were in danger from 70-year-old Richard Scatchard, who had been living in Minehead.
Scatchard was last seen in a shop in Watchet on Sunday (October 15), although a sighting in Minehead the following morning was reported but not confirmed.
Police have warned anybody who sees Scatchard not to approach him but to immediately use the 999 emergency line.
Scatchard, of Thelwall, Cheshire, was jailed in Warrington Crown Court for life in 2000 after admitting three charges of drugging women, two of indecent assault, one of attempted rape, one theft, and one burglary.
Trial Judge David Hale was told Scatchard had an obsession with drugging women with whom he shared relationships in order to create explicit videos.
The judge described Scatchard as ‘a considerable danger’ to any woman with whom he started a relationship.
Judge Hale said the offences were so grave they demanded a sentence of life imprisonment and he could not predict if Scatchard would ever be safe to be released.
Police initially issued a missing persons alert for Scatchard and said they were concerned for his welfare.
But they quickly received further information and the alert changed to a manhunt with Scatchard wanted for recall to prison.
Det Chief Insp Jess Aston said: “While we remain concerned for Richard’s welfare we are now more concerned about the danger he may pose to other people, specifically women he forms relationships with.
“If you see him, or have any information about his whereabouts please contact us immediately.”
Scatchard is described as white, about 5 ft 11 ins tall, of average build, with short grey hair.
He was believed to be travelling on foot or by electric bicycle.
Anybody who sees Scatchard should not approach him and instead call 999 and provide the call handler with the reference 5223251706.
If anybody has any information which could help police find him they should call 101 quoting the same reference.