Wanted - Ivan Leach (Lancashire Police)
Police are today continuing to hunt for a man described as a
dangerous and predatory who is believed to have committed a serious
sex offence while on the run.
Ivan Leach, also known as Lee Cyrus, 47, went missing from North
Sea Camp open prison, Boston, Lincolnshire on Tuesday
9th October after going on day release.
Officers have warned Leach should not under any circumstances be
approached as he poses a significant risk. He is believed to have
carried out a very serious sexual attack in Tayside, Scotland,
since he absconded on October 9th, although further
details cannot be released for legal reasons.
The last confirmed sighting of Leach is on the evening of Friday
19th October in Lea, Preston but despite a nationwide
appeal he remains at large.
Police are urging the public to be vigilant and to come forward
with information about his possible whereabouts.
Leach was born in Preston and has connections across the city as
well as in South Ribble.
He is known to be in the city on a number of occasions since he
absconded, but he could be anywhere in the country. Enquiries are
also ongoing in Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and Tayside.
Lancashire Police are investigating reports that two schoolgirls
were approached as they sat at a bus stop around 6.30pm on
Lancaster Road in Preston city centre on Wednesday 17th October.
The girls were approached by a man matching Leach's description who
made sexual remarks towards them and encouraged them to participate
in sexual activities with him. Fortunately the girls boarded their
bus and reported the incident to the police.
Leach was jailed in 2005 for robbing a 90 year old woman in her
home in Ribbleton, Preston. He was given a life sentence with a
minimum tariff of five years. He also has convictions for burglary
and robbery and assault.
Detective Chief Inspector Ian Dawson, of Preston Police said:
"Whilst Leach remains at large he continues to pose a serious
threat to members of the public. He has previous convictions for
burglary, sex offences against a young girl, assault and robberies
in which he has targeted elderly people in their own homes.
"We believe he could be sleeping rough and travelling
extensively throughout the country, most likely on public
transport.
"His appearance is likely to have changed over the past few
weeks as a reflection of his current lifestyle and we believe he
may have stubble or may now have grown a beard and look
unkempt.
Leach is described as white; around five feet 11 inches tall, of
stocky build with cropped hair and hazel eyes. His has a
distinctive scar on his top lip under his nose and two distinctive
tattoos, one with the name 'Annette' on the bicep of his left arm
and a figure of a barbarian woman on the back of his right shoulder
blade.
He was last seen wearing a black waterproof jacket, dark
trousers and carrying a full rucksack.
DCI Dawson continued:
"He has a number of friends, family and associates in Preston
and prior to his sentence lived and offended in the Preston area so
it is likely that he will gravitate back to the city.
"We are liaising with a number of other forces and
have a huge number of resources dedicated to tracking him down and
apprehend him but we need the public's help.
"I'd reassure people that we follow up every potential sighting
of him so I'd urge people to call police on 101 if you think you
see him or know of his current whereabouts.
"So far we have been very encouraged by the information provided
by members of the public and have received sightings of him from
around the country and a result are following up a number of new
lines of enquiry.
"I would remind people that he is violent and should not be
approached. We have extra patrols in the city and continue to have
officers out looking for him round the clock and we are doing
everything we can to find him.
Information can be passed to local police either in person or on
101 or information can be passed anonymously via Crimestoppers 0800
555 111Timeline:
9th October - Leach escapes from North Sea Camp open
prison in Boston and has travelled back to Preston where he is
believed to have stayed for a number of days.
13th - 16th October - Leach is believed to
have travelled up to the Tayside area in Scotland.
17th October - Leach is believed to have been
captured on CCTV in Preston city centre after approaching two
schoolgirls and enticing them into sexual activity.
19th October - Last confirmed sighting. Leach was
seen in Lea in Preston.
20th October - Report that he could have been in
Nottingham city centre.