'Dangerous' man captured on CCTV drinking with woman later found dead at home

16 November 2023 , 16:14

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'Dangerous' man captured on CCTV drinking with woman later found dead at home

An elderly fugitive and sex offender who drugged his victims was caught on CCTV drinking with a woman the night before she was found dead at his home.

Detectives leading the hunt for Richard Scatchard, 70, in connection with the death of Kelly Faiers, 61, are continuing to plead for the public's help to catch him. The fresh appeal marks one month since Scatchard was last known to have been captured on CCTV, when he was seen in West Somerset on Monday, October 16.

Despite approximately 80 reported sightings, none since that date have been confirmed as Scatchard. The "dangerous" man is wanted on a recall to prison alongside cops seeking him in connection with the murder probe of Ms Faiers, who was found dead at his home, in Minehead, Somerset, during the early hours of Sunday, October 15.

Richard Scatchard and Kelly Faiers at the Duke of Wellington Pub in Minehead the night before Kelly's death (Avon and Somerset Constabulary / SWNS)

Avon and Somerset Police say Scatchard is considered a risk to the public, specifically women he forms relationships with. He is a regular user of dating apps and has previously been convicted of sexual offences in which he administered drugs to his victims to enable his crimes.

Cops have now released CCTV of him and Kelly together as well as his last known movements in a bid to trace him. A police spokesperson said: "We know Kelly and Scatchard, who were in a relationship, went out to The Duke of Wellington pub, in Minehead, on the evening of Saturday 14 October. CCTV shows them having a drink together.

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"In the early hours of the following morning, Scatchard called the ambulance service to his home, in Blenheim Road, due to Kelly being critically ill. Sadly she was pronounced deceased by medics at the scene." Police were called minutes later by the ambulance service at 4.15am and officers spoke with Scatchard before leaving the scene.

Police are looking for Richard Scatchard (Avon and Somerset Constabulary / SWNS)

Kelly Faiers was found dead on October 15 (Avon and Somerset Constabulary / SWNS)

On the afternoon of October 16, police wanted to ask Scatchard further questions and again attended his home address, where his property was found to be empty. Scatchard was initially considered to be "missing" before new information led police to issue a wanted appeal for him.

The spokesperson added: "We believe Scatchard spent the night after Kelly’s death – the 15-16 October – in the Watchet area, which he used to regularly visit. CCTV captured at about 9am on Monday 16 October shows Scatchard in the Swain Street area of Watchet. This is the last sighting on CCTV we have of Scatchard.

"One person, who knew Scatchard, has since told us they saw him later that same morning wearing light-coloured shorts when they were driving along Blenheim Road in Minehead. Previous public appeals have culminated in more than 80 calls and online reports of potential sightings.

Police have shared the CCTV as their investigation continues (Avon and Somerset Constabulary / SWNS)

"We continue to analyse every one of them, but those that have been reviewed have either been discounted or there is insufficient evidence to determine whether it is Scatchard. The vast majority of the reported sightings have come in the West Somerset area, but we remain mindful he may have travelled to another part of the country, as previously stated."

Avon and Somerset Police said the National Crime Agency is supporting efforts to locate Scatchard and enquiries into Kelly’s death are now being led by our Major Crime Investigation Team (MCIT). Senior Investigating Officer Detective Superintendent Gary Haskins added: "The forensic post-mortem examination carried out shortly after Kelly’s death proved inconclusive.

"The circumstances behind Kelly’s death are still unclear despite further test results, but it continues to be treated as suspicious. We still wish to speak to Scatchard to see if he can help us progress our enquiries. We desperately want to provide Kelly's family with the answers they deserve as soon as we can."

Scatchard on Swain Street, Watchet, the day after the woman's death (Avon and Somerset Constabulary / SWNS)

Det Supt Haskins continued: "The other equally important focus we have, which we particularly want the public’s help with, is the search for Scatchard. We are hugely appreciative of everyone who has sought to help our enquiries, from people calling in with information to locals putting in their business windows the wanted posters the Minehead neighbourhood team has distributed.

"We have also had constructive conversations with the National Crime Agency who are providing us support with these searches, for which we are grateful. Ultimately, the best chance of us apprehending Scatchard is by a member of the public calling in with key information about his whereabouts. This may be through a chance sighting or even someone who has previously been reluctant to come forward – either way we'd please encourage those people to call 999.

The 70-year-old sex offender at the West Somerset Hotel, Watchet (Avon and Somerset Constabulary / SWNS)

"And if Scatchard sees this appeal, we’d urge him to do the right thing and to hand himself in." Scatchard is described as a white man, about 5ft 11ins and has a Scottish accent. He is known to have used the name Richard Dunlop previously.

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The public have been urged not to approach him if spotted but call 999 and provide the call handler with the reference 5223259285. If you know where he is call 101 with the same reference number. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online and on 0800 555111.

Tom Bevan