Da Vinci Code rapist loses bid to avoid restriction order

By ALAN MCEWEN
Published on Friday 10 February 2012 12:00

DA Vinci Code rapist Robert Greens has lost his court bid to avoid an order restricting his movements as it emerged that he has been diagnosed as a psychopath.

A sheriff agreed to impose a strict sexual offences prevention order (Sopo) on Greens which grants police “unrestricted access” to the 33-year-old to stop him re-offending.

Andy McGlone, the solicitor representing Chief Constable David Strang, who made the Sopo request, said Greens was a sexual danger to the public. He also told the sheriff that Greens was a diagnosed psychopath with a “very violent past”.

Greens’ solicitor had argued during the two-day hearing at Edinburgh Sheriff Court that the imposition of a Sopo infringed his client’s human rights.

Tony Kelly claimed that the 23 individual restrictions, which included not being able to come into contact with women, prevented him from living a normal life.

But yesterday Sheriff Paul Arthurson QC said there were good reasons for Greens to be monitored by police and the order did not contravene his human rights.. He agreed to allow the order and refused Greens the right to appeal.

He made the ruling after hearing that police agreed it was impossible to prevent Greens from having absolutely no contact with women.

Mr McGlone told the court that officers recognised they could not enforce an order for Greens to have absolutely no contact with women, but said it would leave him unable to form long-lasting relationships.

Mr McGlone added: “We recognise that Mr Greens may have to go into a shop and be served by a female member of staff, or stand beside a woman at a bus stop.

“We recognise that these casual encounters are unavoidable. And I will move to amend the terms of the order to recognise this fact.

“However, this man is a risk to public safety. His risk of re- offending is high.

“He has a very violent past and he has been diagnosed as a psychopath. Is he a sexual danger? My answer is unequivocally yes.”

Since his release from prison last month, Greens now has two social workers living with him 24 hours a day to monitor him.

He wears an electronic tag to monitor his movements and has the tightest curfew allowed by law.

Other restrictions include not approaching children, prohibitions on travel, no internet access, having to notify the police of any change in his appearance, and being excluded from certain areas of Midlothian.

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