NHS Tayside to carry out 'full review' after violent child rapist flees escort

NHS Tayside says it will carry out a “full review” after a violent child rapist fled from his escort in Perth city centre.

A manhunt was launched after Cliff Lyons Dobbie, who is a restricted patient, absconded while on community leave.

He was convicted of raping a ten-year-old girl in Glasgow while on bail for sexually abusing a 12-year-old boy in 1990.

Dobbie has been housed in secure units, including State Hospital Carstairs, ever since.

NHS Tayside says that procedures were followed after Dobbie was reported missing.

However, the health board confirmed that a full review of the circumstances surrounding the incident is ongoing.

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 take the safety of the public, our patients, and staff very seriously and we will be carrying out a full review of the circumstances surrounding this incident.

“We are continuing to work with Police Scotland at this time.”