Da Vinci Code beast Robert Greens faces prison return over alleged court order breach

Greens appeared in court yesterday charged with breaching his sexual offences prevention order (Sopo) and was remanded in  custody.

But it emerged that Scottish ministers are now considering whether to recall the rapist’s licence after he was released early from jail in January.

Greens was imprisoned for ten years in 2005 for raping a 19-year-old Dutch student near Rosslyn Chapel, Midlothian, but served only six years of the term.

The latest move could see him returned behind bars to complete the remainder of his sentence.

Under the Sopo, he is banned from contacting his ex-wife or members of her family who live in Penicuik.

Greens, 35, appeared on petition at Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday over the alleged Sopo breach. He was charged with being in Edinburgh Road, Penicuik, a part of the town he was banned from entering under the order.

He made a brief appearance in private before Sheriff Richard McFarlane. No plea or declaration was made on his behalf and the case was continued for further inquiry.

Earlier in the day, Greens was scheduled to appear with his solicitor at a hearing in connection with the Sopo, which allows police to monitor him.

Solicitor Andy McGlone, representing Chief Constable David Strang, the head of Lothian and Borders Police, who are seeking the Sopo, told the court that there had been a “major development in relation to the case”.

Mr McGlone said a “ministerial recall of his licence was being considered” after Greens was arrested for allegedly breaking his Sopo, and added: “Inquiries are ongoing by the police into the alleged breach.”

He said there was a joint motion to adjourn the hearing for a week in order to hear of any decision about a possible recall of Greens.

Greens’ solicitor, Tony Kelly, claims the Sopo is unfair and breaches his client’s human rights. A full hearing on the order is due to take place next month.

Sheriff Alistair Noble agreed to continue the interim Sopo until the full hearing in November.

The parole board considers whether or not offenders released on licence should be recalled to custody. Scottish ministers may also recall an offender if it is considered that it needs to be done immediately in order to protect the public.

Greens has been assessed for Multi-Agency Public Protection Agency (Mappa) level three restrictions as a “very high risk”.

He wears an electronic tag to monitor his movements under the licensing conditions which saw his release. Greens is subject to a curfew between 8pm and 8am, and 1pm to 3pm, the maximum amount allowed by law.

Greens is subject to 23 individual restrictions which 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.

Police hunt ‘chubby’ rapist as girl attacked

A MANHUNT was under way today after a teenage girl was dragged into woods by a chubby rapist who subjected her to a “terrifying ordeal”.

Police are investigating whether the 18-year-old was followed as she walked home in the early hours following a night out with friends in Dalkeith.

Detectives urged women to avoid walking home alone at night – but stressed that such attacks were “rare” and that it was not being linked to any other incidents.

The victim was carrying her shoes and walking barefoot along Lauder Road from the town centre, where she had visited various pubs on a night out.

As she got near the entrance of St David’s Primary School, she realised a man was walking closely behind her before he grabbed her and hauled her down a path into woods behind a bus stop.

The attack took place between midnight and 2am on Sunday. The traumatised girl plucked up the courage to report the incident to police on Tuesday.

Detective Inspector Keith Mackay, who is leading the investigation, said: “It’s too early in the inquiry to say whether he has followed her from the town centre. It’s one angle for our investigation. It may also have been a random attack.

“There is quite a lot of CCTV which may be able to assist us. We’re looking at CCTV from the pubs which the victim visited.”

Extra patrols have been deployed to reassure the community. DI Mackay said women should take precautions against walking alone at night, either travelling with friends or taking taxis.

He said: “Anyone who believes they are in danger when they are out should call for help. But at the same time they should remember that this type of crime is rare in Midlothian.”

The suspect is described as white, early 20s, chubby build, 5ft 8in. He was wearing a grey hooded zip up top, with the hood up, and dark jeans and spoke with a local accent.

Officers have recovered forensic samples from the crime scene, while door-to-door inquiries are ongoing.

DIMackay added: “We’re looking for anyone in the area of Lauder Road, Woodburn or Kippielaw who might have seen a man acting suspiciously.

“The girl was barefoot as she walked up the road because she was carrying her shoes. That may have made her distinctive to motorists or passers-by. The area should have been reasonably busy as it was around the time the pubs were closing.”

Doreen Wilson, 74, a retired police civilian worker, lives in Kippielaw Walk behind the woods where the attack took place.

She said: “It’s dreadful this has happened to the poor girl. I only hope that she is all right and they find this man as quickly as possible. I don’t use that path myself. There is a lamp-post on the pathway but its pitch black in the woods. I’m always worried that someone might jump out.”

The 18-year-old victim was dragged into this wooded area behind a bus stop

in Lauder Road by the ‘chubby’ rapist