Manhunt underway after child rapist escapes prison staff while on escorted leave in city centre

By JOSHUA HAINING, NEWS REPORTER Published: 18:00, 7 August 2026 | Updated: 18:00, 7 August 2026 A manhunt is underway for a child rapist who escaped from prison staff while on escorted leave. Restricted patient, Cliff Lyons Dobbie, fled from officers in Perth city centre on Thursday. He was last seen wearing a black baseball cap, white trainers, light blue ripped jeans, a salmon-coloured golf shirt and a light blue jumper. Dobbie was also carrying a puffer jacket and wearing a black backpack.  Police Scotland described him as a bald 5ft 3in tall white male with a stocky muscular build and distinctive tattoos on both arms.   Dobbie has been held in secure facilities since 1990 after he raped a 10-year-old girl in Glasgow and sexually abused a 12-year-old boy in a field.  He was admitted to State Hospital in Carstairs where he has remained since the depraved attacks.  Cliff Lyons Dobbie, a restricted patient, escaped from prison staff while on escorted leave in Perth city centre He was last seen wearing a black baseball cap, white trainers, light blue ripped jeans , a salmon-coloured golf shirt and a light blue jumper Police have warned the public not to approach Dobbie and to report his whereabouts to the police if he is spotted. He is currently being treated as a missing person and the investigation to locate him is ongoing.  It is understood NHS Tayside is working with Police Scotland during the search.  Inspector Kris McCall said: 'We want to trace Cliff, who also uses the name Clifford Lyons or Dobbie, as quickly as possible.  'I'd be interested to hear from anyone who has seen or spoken to him since Thursday, 6 August, 2026. He has links to Glasgow and the surrounding areas. 'The public should not approach him but should report any sighting to Police Scotland. 'Those with information should contact police immediately on 101 or 999, or speak to any officer. Please use incident number 1696 of 6 August 2026.'