Richard Scatchard drugged and raped women for 40 years before killing partner

September 7, 2026 at 06:11 AM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

Richard Scatchard, jailed twice for drugging and sexually assaulting women, was released on licence in 2013 and later killed his partner. Krystyna, 70, has waived her anonymity to speak publicly for the first time about her abuse by Scatchard. The National Crime Agency says there is an urgent need to address the growing international issue of men drugging and raping women.

Key Facts

Richard Scatchard was jailed twice and released from prison on licence in 2013.
Krystyna, 70, has waived her legal right to anonymity to speak publicly for the first time about her abuse by Scatchard.
Scatchard was given four life sentences at Warrington Crown Court in 2000 for drugging Krystyna and two other women.
Scatchard was previously jailed in 1986 after drugging and attempting to kidnap a woman he knew.
The National Crime Agency says there is an urgent need to deal with the growing international issue of men drugging and raping women.

Krystyna's Testimony

Krystyna became friends with Scatchard in 1997 and used to walk his dog and go for meals with him. Scatchard invited her into his home and encouraged her to drink wine that he had drugged. Krystyna recalls waking up with no clothes on and fearing that Scatchard would kill her if she opened her eyes. She initially did not tell anyone about the abuse due to shame and denial, but later reported it to police after Scatchard began stalking and harassing her.

Criminal History and Release

Scatchard was arrested for drugging Krystyna and two other women, and he had filmed his crimes. He was given four life sentences at Warrington Crown Court in 2000. Scatchard was previously jailed in 1986 after drugging and attempting to kidnap a woman he knew, and police found a body bag in his car. He was released from prison on licence in 2013, despite the judge's summing-up stating he would always be a danger to women.

Systemic Concerns

Dame Nicole Jacobs, the Domestic Abuse Commissioner for England and Wales, says Scatchard's case demonstrates how drug-facilitated sexual abuse has been hidden in plain sight for many years. The National Crime Agency says there is an urgent need to deal with the growing international issue of men drugging and raping women, sometimes filming the assaults and posting them online. Krystyna lost friends, her job, and became homeless for a period due to the stigma and effect of the abuse.