Rapist Robert Greens breaches sex offence order

THE Da Vinci Code rapist Robert Greens was caught breaking a court order banning him from entering Penicuik by an off-duty officer who had investigated vandalattacks on his home.

Greens was seen riding a bike with his hooded top up by an off-duty police officer who was driving out of the town’s Tesco car park, sparking an eight-hour manhunt.

After fleeing, Greens switched clothes in a bid to prevent police from arresting him for breaching his sexual offences prevention order (Sopo).

The 35-year-old later claimed that he had not been in Penicuik, but had gone to Edinburgh where his identical twin was appearing at the sheriff court over an assault.

Greens now faces being returned to prison to complete his ten-year sentence for raping a Dutch student near Rosslyn Chapel, Midlothian, in 2005. He pleaded guilty at Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday to violating the Sopo.

He will appear at the High Court to determine how long he will be returned to jail.

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

The court heard yesterday that the off-duty officer had stopped at traffic lights while leaving Tesco at 9.45am on October 24 last year when he saw Greens on a dark-coloured bike on Edinburgh Road.

The court heard that Greens “met his eye” and it was “clear from his reaction” that he had recognised the officer.

Greens fled the area while the officer alerted colleagues at Penicuik police station and the offender management unit in Dalkeith.

An officer called Greens at 10.55am to establish his location, and the sex offender lied that he was travelling with his sister, Catherine Greens, to the sheriff court to see his brother, Richard Greens, appear.

Police went to the court building in Chambers Street, but could find no trace of him or family members.

Catherine Greens returned at around 11am to her home in Auchendinny, where Greens was also banned from entering, and found her brother sitting outside and looking “shaken up”. He was in different clothes from those he wore in Penicuik.

Ms Greens gave her brother a lift to his Bonnyrigg home. Officers detained Greens at 5.20pm.

While Greens was taken to Dalkeith police station for interview, officers visited Saughton Prison to take a statement from Richard Greens, who had been jailed over the assault.

Officers visited Ms Greens and found the bike at the rear of her property. She arrived home at 10pm and allowed police to search for clothing they believed Greens had discarded. None was found.

By 10.25pm, officers were interviewing Greens, who told them: “I wasnae in Tesco, Penicuik.”

Instead, Greens claimed he went to meet his sister and brother-in-law for the trip to the Capital. But after growing concerned that he might be seen by press at court, he said he wandered the Surgeons’ Hall area until getting a lift back.

After learning that his brother-in-law told officers he had not see him, Greens replied: “He’s probably trying to protect me.”

Greens said that he had “no idea” why his bike was found at his sister’s home.

Greens served six years for the Rosslyn rape.

Sheriff Paul Arthurson QC deferred sentence on the Sopo breach until May.