‘Devious’ sex offender drugged women years before mum’s death

No-one will ever know how many women Richard Scatchard drugged and raped, but his convictions for attacks on women date back 40 years.

Kelly Faiers, his final victim, was unaware of his past – or how much danger she was in.

Kelly, 61 and from Weston-super-Mare, was killed in October 2023 having been coerced into taking an excessive number of sleeping tablets after drinking, an inquest found.

Scatchard, 71, who she was dating at the time, went on the run within hours of her death and was found dead months later in a caravan in Watchet, Somerset.

Coroner Samantha Marsh returned an open conclusion after an inquest was unable to determine how he died.

Warning: This story contains references to sexual violence

Kelly’s son Mike said his mum was “a fun, bubbly woman”.

“Everyone liked to be around her,” he added. “I don’t know anyone who’s got a bad word to say about her.”

Her daughter Jazz remembered her as “very smiley and positive”.

“Even if the worst thing was happening, she’d still try to see the good,” she said.

But while the family have fond memories of their mum, they feel anger towards “lots of different parties” that Scatchard was not stopped before he met Kelly.

They want to know how a man who had been jailed twice – and who police once found with a body bag and a spade in his car – could prey on their mum.

An inquest into Kelly’s death concluded she was unlawfully killed and Scatchard had been coercive and controlling throughout their relationship.

Marsh described Scatchard as “devious, cunning and untruthful”. He had not declared his relationship with Kelly to his probation officer as was required.

Marsh said it was therefore difficult to see what more police and probation officers could have done to prevent Kelly’s death, given they were not aware of her.