Police Scotland confirmed that Cliff Lyons Dobbie, a restricted patient who had escaped from community leave in Perth, has been located. The authorities expressed gratitude to the public for their assistance following an appeal for information.
Details regarding the circumstances of Dobbie's escape or the location where he was apprehended have not been released. NHS Tayside stated that patient confidentiality prevents them from commenting on specific individual cases.
Dobbie, who has also used the name Clifford Lyons, was admitted to the secure facility at Carstairs following his conviction for the rape of a 10-year-old girl. At the time of that offense, he was on bail for another sex offense involving the molestation of a 12-year-old boy. Secure facilities like Carstairs are utilized for individuals convicted of serious crimes, including murder and rape, who are deemed mentally ill and require treatment.
In 2011, Dobbie initiated a legal challenge against a proposed ban on junk food at Carstairs, intended to address inmate obesity. He was successful in this judicial review, arguing that he required high-energy drinks and protein bars for his fitness regimen.