Police release CCTV of fugitive sex offender having drink in pub with girlfriend hours before she was found ‘murdered’ in his home
- Film captured in pub shows on the run boyfriend with partner before her death
A video showing an on-the-run sex offender drinking with his girlfriend the night before she was found dead at his home has been released by detectives.
Richard Scatchard, 70, and Kelly Faiers, 61, look like any other couple on the footage captured at The Duke of Wellington pub in Minehead on October 14.
But hours later ambulance crews were called to Scatchard’s home at 4.15am to reports she was critically ill.
Ms Faiers was pronounced dead at the scene and her boyfriend was spoken to by police before they left him at the property.
But by Monday afternoon they had further questions to put to him but arrived to find the property empty.
Avon and Somerset Police have subsequently revealed he is wanted on a recall to prison
Richard Scatchard, 70, and Kelly Faiers, 61, look like any other couple on the footage captured at The Duke of Wellington pub in Minehead on October 14
Grabs of cctv footage showing fugitive Richard Scatchard and his girlfriend Kelly Faiers hours before she was found dead in his home
The pair can be clearly see on footage of the night before she was found dead at his property
Police think Scatchard spent the night after Ms Faiers’ death in the Watchet area, which he used to regularly visit
And detectives want to talk to him in connection with the murder inquiry which is now probing the death of Ms Faiers.
He 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.
Police think Scatchard spent the night after Ms Faiers’ death in the Watchet area, which he used to regularly visit.
CCTV captured at about 9am on October 16 shows him in the street and is the last sighting on camera of him.
But an acquaintance has since come forward to say they saw him in light-coloured shorts when they were driving in Minehead.
Richard Scatchard, 70, (pictured) from Minehead, is wanted on recall to prison and in connection with the murder investigation of a 61-year-old woman
Officers were alerted to the sudden death of Kelly Faiers, 61, (pictured). She was found dead at Scatchard’s home address on October 15
The National Crime Agency has now been called in to support the police force’s efforts.
Enquiries into the death are also now being led by the force’s Major Crime Investigation Team.
Senior Investigating Officer Detective Superintendent Gary Haskins said: ‘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.’
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.
‘And if Scatchard sees this appeal, we’d urge him to do the right thing and to hand himself in.’
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