Da Vinci Rapist’s twin brother is jailed for assault after mistaken identity

THE BROTHER of Da Vinci rapist Robert Greens was jailed for almost a year today for lashing out after he was mistaken for his psycho identical twin.

A court heard how Richard Greens, 35, threw a man down concrete stairs while evicting him from a Hogmanay party.

Victim Garry Campbell lay screaming and bleeding after his shin was smashed with the bone sticking out through his skin.

Edinburgh Sheriff Court heard how the attack was prompted by someone at the party calling Greens “Robert” - the name of the brother jailed in 2005 for raping a Dutch student near Rosslyn Chapel in Midlothian.

The historic chapel featured in Dan Brown’s blockbuster “The Da Vinci Code” and subsequent film, earning Robert Greens his nick-name.

Sheriff William Holligan heard how his twin’s notoriety had brought difficulties for Richard Greens.

“It is not the first time in Penicuik he has had to take abuse as a result of being mistaken for his brother,” said defence solicitor Murray Robertson today.

“To some extent he has been dogged by this.”

The lawyer added: “I am not seeking to excuse what must have been a terrible experience for Mr Campbell.

Sheriff Holligan turned down a plea to let Richard Greens remain free pending further reports about possible treatment for his long-sanding drug problem.

He told Greens that if he had not admitted the serious assault in the house in Carlops Road, Penicuik, Midlothian, the sentence would have been 16 months in prison. The guilty plea had reduced the jail time to a year and the sheriff cut this by a further two weeks to take account of time spent on remand.

At an earlier hearing depute procurator fiscal Karen Rollo said father-of five Richard Greens and his wife, Lee, 32, both of 17 Woodside Drive, Penicuik, had gone to a New Year’s party at a relative’s home.

They had been drinking heavily in the hours leading up to the party and Richard Greens had been taking Valium.

The prosecutor said that at the party someone - not Mr Campbell - accidentally called Richard Greens “Robert”.

Richard Greens didn’t accept it was a mistake and started arguing furiously with party goers.

Ms Rollo continued: “Robert Greens was convicted sometime ago of a crime that was the subject of a great deal of publicity in the press. He is the so called Da Vinci rapist.

“Richard Greens didn’t accept it was a mistake and an argument then ensued.”

Ms Rollo said Richard Greens grabbed Garry Campbell, who had been minding his own business and enjoying a drink.

Ms Rollo added: “He threw him down a flight of stairs causing Mr Campbell’s leg to break. The break was so severe that the shin bone had penetrated Mr Campbell’s skin.

“Mr Campbell was screaming with pain. The screams were enough to attract a crowd around him to see what was going on.

Lee Greens then grabbed Mr Campbell’s leg and started shaking it around.

She told Mr Campbell that he was a “drama queen” and that his injury wasn’t that bad.

“She then, in the words of one witness, ‘waggled’ it three to four times. She then put it down and said there was nothing wrong with it,” said Ms Rollo.

Mr Campbell was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary Hospital for treatment.

Today Sheriff Holligan told Lee Greens - who also admitted assaulting Mr Campbell - that he was “just persuaded” to consider a possible drug treatment and testing order. The sheriff called for a further report but warned Lee Greens she might still be jailed when she returns to court next month.

Today’s sentence had been delayed because the Greens failed to keep a previous court date - claiming they were stuck in traffic.

In recent months, Robert Greens has also been the subject of proceedings at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.

Lawyers acting for Lothian and Borders Police want the court to grant a Sexual Offences Prevention Order on Robert Greens because they think he may commit more crime.

Experts have branded him one of Scotland’s most dangerous men.