Urgent Manhunt For Convicted Child Rapist Who Escaped From Staff

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A child rapist and molester is on the run after fleeing from Perth city centre during escorted community leave.

Cliff Lyons Dobbie, who is a restricted patient, absconded from the Scottish city today.

He was convicted of raping a 10-year-old girl in Glasgow while on bail for sexually abusing a 12-year-old boy in 1990.

Dobbie, who also uses the name Clifford Lyons, has been locked up in Carstairs, a facility for criminals convicted of murder and rape but who are deemed mentally ill, BBC News reports.

07/08/2026 - SCOTLAND - Custody image of Cliff Lyons Dobbie. Cliff Lyons Dobbie, a restricted patient, has absconded from Perth city centre whilst on escorted community leave. He is described as a white male, approximately 5ft 3in tall, of stocky and muscular build. Dobbie is bald, has blue eyes, and has 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. He 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. We are keen to trace this patient as soon as possible. Members of the public are advised not to approach this individual. If anyone sees him, or has any information regarding his whereabouts, they should contact Police Scotland. Inspector Kris McCall, Police Scotland, 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. PICTURE: UNPIXS 07/08/2026 — Cliff Lyons Dobbie, who also goes by the name Clifford Lyons, has been locked up as a restricted patient since being convicted of his crimes (Picture: Police Scotland/UNPIXS)

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He is described as relatively short at 5ft 3in, of stocky and muscular build.

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

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, and he carried a black backpack and a black puffer jacket.

Undated handout photo issued by Police Scotland of Cliff Lyons Dobbie, a restricted patient, absconded from Perth city centre on Friday. — Police are looking to urgently trace Cliff Lyons Dobbie, who absconded from Perth (Picture: Police Scotland)

Dobbie also has distinctive tattoos on both arms.

One of the images shows two blue tiger-like eyes on his right arm, while his left arm is inked with a blue and red Rangers tattoo.

He speaks with a strong Glaswegian accent.

If seen, people should not approach him, but contact Police Scotland.

Inspector Kris McCall, Police Scotland, 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.’

A spokesperson for NHS Tayside told Metro in a statement: ‘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 are working closely with Police Scotland on this matter.’

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