A CONVICTED Dumbarton rapist put his liberty at risk when he didn't tell police of his new address – twice within nine months.

Ross Wright failed to comply with the notification requirements of the Sexual Offences Act in October 2021 and June last year.

We previously told that on the first occasion, he was released from HMP Barlinnie in May 2021 and was residing in Brucehill Road.

However, on October 14 police had reason to attend his property to locate him.

Cops continued their efforts to trace him at his home address over the next couple of days but noticed no personal items had been left behind at the property apart from a few item of clothing.

A missing person appeal was then launched after he was last seen on October 13 in the town. It warned people not to approach the 28-year-old, who was found guilty of raping a young mum in Clydebank in 2014.

The nationwide manhunt successfully helped police find him on October 21 and he was arrested.

On the second occasion, he registered his address as a flat on McAllister Road in Alexandria, however in June last year he was granted permission to move in with his then-partner.

A housing officer from West Dunbartonshire Council went to visit Wright at the Alexandria property on June 24 but noticed it was vacant.

In a turn of events, the sex offender had moved into another property in Ashton View - which is his current address - in Dumbarton on June 30.

At Dumbarton Sheriff Court on August 8, Sheriff Maxwell Hendry said: "His explanation for [the second charge] is contradictory. In relation to the second failure to notify he advised that he forgot.

"It wouldn't be a terribly good explanation but it could stop there. Instead, he says he was unsure if he was remaining in the property."

Wright's lawyer Umar Hussain replied: "At that time he had approval temporarily from all parties [to stay in the property] but he was in a toxic relationship. Effectively, they were great one day and a disaster the next day.

"Mr Wright's concern was that every time something went wrong his partner at the time would make him leave.

"He didn't know if he was going to be residing there long-term. He should have made alternative arrangements."

Sheriff Hendry added: "These are serious matters. These requirements are in place for a reason and having breached them twice you put your liberty at risk."

Wright was placed on a community payback order under social work supervision for 18 months and ordered to complete 120 hours of unpaid work.