COUNCIL chiefs have been forced to deny claims that Da Vinci Code rapist Robert Greens has been living in a hostel a few miles from where he was recently moved.
Angry residents gathered yesterday outside Klibeck House in Loanhead, Midlothian, following rumours the 33-year-old was living there.
He was recently driven out of his previous home, just four miles away in Dalkeith, following a protest march by neighbours on the headquarters of Midlothian Council.
Today, officials insisted: “Mr Greens is not at Klibreck and has not been at Klibreck.”
Greens was dubbed the Da Vinci Code rapist after he raped a 19-year-old Dutch student in 2005 near Rosslyn Chapel, which is featured in the Dan Brown novel.
Dalkeith residents were incensed that Greens had been moved back in to the community on his release and following the demonstrations he was spirited away to a secret address.
Despite the council’s denials, people living near Klibreck are convinced Greens is living there.
One woman, speaking before the council’s statement, said: “He was there yesterday (wed) and there were some people standing outside with placards to have him evicted.
“I don’t know if he is there now but he better not be there because we won’t have a rapist living in our neighbourhood.
“He did the crime and he’s done the time but that doesn’t mean they can just place him anywhere they want. They didn’t want him in Dalkeith and we don’t want him here either. No matter where he goes, there will be no place for him.”
Midlothian Council later complained that they were being unfairly blamed over the controversy.
Councillor Derek Milligan, the leader of the council, said: “Our role is to work with the police and other partners to mitigate the risk following any individual registered sex offender’s release from prison.
“In Scotland all offenders serving prison sentences of four years or more have to be released at the two thirds stage of their sentence if they are not granted parole. This is not a decision made by the council. Scottish Government legislation lets offenders out and we had no say in the matter.”
He added: “We in Midlothian Council are left with this danger and are working with the police and other agencies to do all we can to ensure the safety of our communities. Any decision to return an offender to prison would be due to a breach of a licence condition and the decision would ultimately be made by the Justice Directorate in the Scottish Government.
“The law also says councils must manage a sex offender on their release from prison. There are a number of agencies involved in this process including the local authority, police and health.
“We understand the anxieties of local people. The public need to be reassured that all partners, including the council, are working hard to keep our communities safe. Public safety is of paramount importance when any decision is made in relation to a sex offender after they are released from prison.”
