Violent child rapist on the run after escaping escort in Perth

A major search operation has been launched after a violent child rapist escaped his escort on Friday.

Cliff Lyons Dobbie, who is a restricted patient, absconded in Perth city centre 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.

The on-the-run sex offender is described as a white male, approximately 5ft 3in tall, of stocky and muscular build.

Dobbie is bald, has blue eyes, and a noticeable squint, which is more apparent when he is not wearing his glasses.

He was last seen wearing white trainers, light blue ripped jeans, a salmon-coloured golf shirt and a light blue jumper. He also wore a black cap and thick black-rimmed glasses. The patient was carrying a black backpack and a black puffer jacket.

Dobbie has distinctive tattoos on both arms, including an image of two blue tiger-like eyes on his right arm and a blue and red Rangers tattoo on his left arm. He speaks with a strong Glaswegian accent.

Members of the public have been urged not to approach him and contact Police Scotland quoting incident number 20260806 – 1696 of August 6 via 999 or 101.