Death faker rapist must never walk free again
Beast abused women and girls before disappearing in States
A RAPIST who faked his own death to avoid justice should never be released, one of his victims insisted.
Jade Skea was a teen when Kim Avis, a trader from Inverness, abused her and three other women. He was charged in 2019 but fled to the US where he tried to make it look as if he had drowned. He was later captured and extradited back to Scotland where he was sentenced to 15 years for sex offences. Speaking for the first time about her ordeal, Jade said: “I don’t think he should ever be released. He is a danger to anyone he is in contact with. I don’t think he should ever, ever be out in public again.”
Jade’s ordeal began in the early 2000s. Avis had a jewellery stall she used to visit in Inverness. She was 18 when she met the rapist, who was in his 40s and a well-known figure locally.
Soon, Avis isolated her from family and friends and moved her into a static caravan.
She became trapped in a decade-long controlling and abusive relationship. He raped Jade and subjected her to an ongoing campaign of violence and abuse. He also raped her at his house, known as the “Wolves’ Den”.
She said: “I remember feeling like this was going to be my life forever. He never thought that I would ever report him to the police.”
Three other women came forward. Two were children at the time of the abuse.
Avis was charged with multiple rapes and sexual assaults against the four women. He was bailed and a trial date set.
But he bought a plane ticket to the US and settled near Monastery Beach, California, known locally as “Mortuary Beach” due to frequent drownings. He faked his death – but was eventually reported to police.
Jade is one of two women who tell their story in BBC One Scotland’s Disclosure: Dead Man Running, at 9pm tonight and on BBC iPlayer.