Manhunt launched as notorious child rapist Clifford Lyons escapes escort in Perth

Manhunt launched as notorious child rapist Clifford Lyons escapes escort in Perth Clifford Lyons, also known as Dobbie, escaped staff while on escorted community leave in Perth city centre A notorious child rapist is on the loose after he absconded while on escorted community leave in Scotland. Clifford Lyons, also known as Dobbie, has been a restricted patient in a secure psychiatric hospital for decades after he was convicted of raping a 10-year-old girl in Glasgow. This happened while he was on bail for sexually abusing a 12-year-old boy in 1990. Lyons escaped staff while on escorted community leave in Perth city centre yesterday and remains on the run. The now 5ft 3in fugitive is described as white, stocky and muscular, with a bald head, blue eyes and a distinctive squint that is more noticeable when he is not wearing glasses. The Daily Record reports he was last seen wearing white trainers, light blue ripped jeans, a salmon-coloured golf shirt, a light blue jumper, a black cap and thick black-rimmed glasses. He was also carrying a black backpack and a black puffer jacket. Lyons has been detained in high-security units, including the State Hospital at Carstairs in Scotland, ever since he was convicted. He also has distinctive tattoos on both arms, including 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. People have been urged not to approach him if they see him and instead call Police Scotland urgently. A spokesperson for NHS Tayside said: "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." Mirror Online has approached Police Scotland for comment.