Clifford Lyons Dobbie, a notorious child rapist who escaped from staff while on escorted community leave, has been found. Police Scotland confirmed he was traced on Saturday, August 8, after an urgent search was launched.
Absconded in Perth city centre
Dobbie, also known by the surname Lyons, absconded on Thursday, August 6, while out with escorts in Perth city centre. He is a restricted patient who has spent decades in secure psychiatric hospitals after being convicted of raping a 10-year-old girl in Glasgow while on bail for sexually abusing a 12-year-old boy in 1990. He has been detained in high-security units, including the State Hospital at Carstairs, ever since.
Public warning and distinctive features
Police Scotland issued an urgent appeal after he went on the run, warning the public not to approach Dobbie and stating that they wanted to trace him "as quickly as possible". The public were warned that 5ft 3in Dobbie has distinctive tattoos on both arms, including two blue tiger-like eyes on his right arm and a blue and red Rangers tattoo on his left arm. He was described as stocky and muscular, with a bald head, blue eyes and a distinctive squint.
Previous assault and response
His escape came years after Dobbie was assaulted by another patient while being held at Rowanbank Clinic in Glasgow. In 2017, he required medical treatment after allegedly being repeatedly punched by a fellow restricted patient in the unit's grounds.
A spokesperson for NHS Tayside said, "Due to patient confidentiality, we cannot discuss matters relating to an individual patient. NHS Tayside has a policy in place which has procedures for staff to follow in the case of a missing patient and these have been followed in this instance. We are working closely with Police Scotland on this matter."
Search and confirmation
Inspector Kris McCall of Police Scotland previously said Dobbie has links to Glasgow and the surrounding areas. He said: "The public should not approach him but should report any sighting to Police Scotland." The Scottish Government were also working alongside police and NHS Tayside in the search for Dobbie.
A Police Scotland statement now confirms: "We are pleased to confirm Cliff Lyons Dobbie has been traced. Thanks to everyone who shared our appeal."
