WOMEN in West Somerset have been warned they were in danger from a convicted sex offender freed on licence from a life prison sentence who was reported as missing from Minehead earlier in the week.

Richard Scatchard was last seen in Watchet on Sunday (October 15), although there was an unconfirmed report that he was in Minehead on Monday.

Anybody who sees Scatchard has been advised to immediately call 999 and not to approach him.

Police initially treated the 70-year-old convicted criminal as a missing person.

Scatchard, of Thelwall, Cheshire, was jailed in 2000 after admitting three charges of drugging women, two of indecent assault, one of attempted rape, one theft, and one burglary.

Warrington Crown Court Judge David Hale heard at the time Scatchard had an obsession with drugging women with whom he shared relationships in order to create explicit videos.

Judge Hale said in sentencing Scratchard: “You are in my view a considerable danger to any woman with whom you enter a relationship.

“These are very grave sexual offences demanding a sentence of life imprisonment.

“I say that because I cannot predict at what stage you would be safe to release.”

An Avon and Somerset Constabulary spokesperson said on Friday (October 20): “We are now treating Richard as a wanted person.

“Since issuing our appeals for help, we have been given new information which leads us to believe he could present a risk to the public.”

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.

“As a result of the inquiries we have carried out while looking for Richard, he is now wanted on a recall to prison.”

“The last confirmed sighting of him was at a shop in Watchet on Sunday.

“We have since had an unconfirmed sighting of him in Minehead at about 10 am the following day.

“Officers are currently carrying out inquiries in both the Minehead and Watchet areas to try to locate him.

“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.