Jade Skea was just a teenager when she first met Kim Avis, a charismatic street trader who was well-known in Inverness for his charity fundraising. What began as a whirlwind romance soon turned into a decade-long nightmare of controlling behaviour, physical violence and sexual abuse. But after years of suffering in silence, Jade decided to take action and report Avis to the police. Three other women came forward with similar stories and Avis was charged with multiple rapes and sexual assaults. However, he fled to the US and attempted to fake his own death.
Avis’s hoax was eventually revealed and an international manhunt began. Tips and sightings from witnesses led US Marshals to a motel where Avis was hiding out. He was arrested and eventually extradited to Scotland, where he was convicted of rape and sexual offences against four women and sentenced to 15 years in prison.
Jade, who bravely came forward to tell her story, believes that Avis is a danger to anyone he comes into contact with and should never be released. She hopes that by speaking out, she can encourage others to report their abusers and seek help. If you or someone you know is affected by sexual abuse or violence, support and advice is available via the BBC Action Line.
This harrowing story highlights the devastating impact of domestic abuse and the bravery of survivors who speak out against their abusers. It also demonstrates the importance of law enforcement agencies working together across borders to bring criminals to justice
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