Police to continue checks on Da Vinci rapist Robert Greens

Published on 06/08/2012 15:04

A SHERIFF has passed a temporary order which will allow police to continue their ‘robust’ monitoring of Da Vinci Code rapist Robert Greens.

Sheriff Isabella McColl passed a Sexual Offences Prevention Order which permits Lothian and Borders officers to control Green’s movements at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday.

Cops have sought the order because they fear that Greens - who was jailed in 2005 for raping a Dutch student at Rosslyn Chapel in Midlothian - poses a threat to public safety.

His solicitor Tony Kelly believes the order is unfair and breaches his client’s human rights.

Greens is currently staying in Bonnyrigg, Midlothian. In recent weeks hundreds of angry locals have marched close to his home demanding that the authorities remove him from the area.

One demonstration attracted members of the far right British National Party.

Speaking after one demo, Lothian and Borders Police Detective Superintendent Alan Crawford said the SOPO order allowed them to keep Greens under control.

He added: “We want to assure the public that robust procedures are in place to manage his return to the community.”

On Monday, Sheriff McColl granted the order until a court hearing which will take place on October 25 2012.

Proceedings on that day has been arranged so that legal teams for the police and Greens can tell the court about their progress in preparing their cases for another hearing which is expected to take place in November 2012.

Proceedings then will decide whether the SOPO order should be granted on a permanent basis.