A REWARD of up to £3,000 is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a “dangerous and predatory individual” suspected of committing a serious sex offence while on the run.
Ivan Leach, also known as Lee Cyrus, 47, went missing from North Sea Camp open prison in Boston, Lincolnshire, after failing to return from day release on 9 October. The public are warned not to approach him under any circumstances as he poses a significant risk.
He is believed to have carried out a very serious sexual attack in Tayside, although further details cannot be released for legal reasons, said Lancashire Police.
Leach was born in Preston, Lancashire, and has connections across the city as well as in South Ribble. It is known he has been in the city on a number of occasions since he absconded, but he could be anywhere in the country, police said.
Yesterday, the Crimestoppers charity offered a cash reward up to £3,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction. Detective Superintendent Paul Withers, of Lancashire Police’s major investigation team, said: “Hopefully, this reward will encourage more people to come forward and help us track down and catch him. We will follow up every potential sighting of him so I’d urge people to call police or Crimestoppers if you think you see him or know of his current whereabouts.
“I would remind people that he is violent and should not be approached. We have extra patrols in the city and have officers out looking for him round the clock and we are doing everything we can to find him.”
The last confirmed sighting of Leach is on the evening of 19 October in Lea, Preston, but despite a nationwide appeal, he remains at large.
Inquiries are ongoing in Tayside, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire.