Police catch on-the-run child rapist who escaped prison staff while on escorted leave in city centre

Published: 10:58, 8 August 2026 | Updated: 11:00, 8 August 2026 An on-the-run child rapist who escaped prison staff in Scotland while on escorted leave in a city centre has been caught. Cliff Lyons Dobbie, who has been detained since 1990 for the rape of a 10-year-old girl, was found on Saturday following a manhunt, Police Scotland have confirmed. Dobbie, who is classed as a ‘restricted patient,’ absconded from Perth city centre on Thursday, however, no details about how he escaped have been released. 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. The rapist was also carrying a puffer jacket and wearing a black backpack.  Police Scotland previously issued a warning urging the public not to approach Dobbie, who they described as a white man, around 5ft 3in tall and with a strong Glaswegian accent. On Saturday, Police Scotland Tayside released a statement confirming Dobbie had been found. It is understood NHS Tayside assisted the force during the search. A spokesperson for the force said: 'We are pleased to confirm Cliff Lyons Dobbie has been traced.  Cliff Lyons Dobbie has been found after he 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 'Thanks to everyone who shared our appeal.' Dobbie has been housed 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. Since his sentencing, he has been housed in secure units across Scotland, including the State Hospital in Carstairs, where he has remained since the depraved attacks. NHS Tayside previously said: 'Due to patient confidentiality, we cannot discuss matters relating to an individual patient.'