Child rapist who sparked national manhunt too dangerous to be released

EXCLUSIVE Child rapist who sparked national manhunt after fleeing jail and terrorising elderly women in their own homes is still too dangerous to be released or sent to an open prison, parole board rules

• Lee Cyrus, now 57, also known as Ivan Leach, is serving two life sentences 
• The career criminal stalked and terrorised vulnerable women

A convicted child rapist who sparked a national manhunt after absconding from prison and terrorising elderly women in their own homes is still too dangerous to be released or sent to an open prison.

Lee Cyrus is serving two life sentences for robbing a 90-year-old woman for £12 and then targeting vulnerable women in a violent crime spree after fleeing jail.

The sex attacker was handed a life sentence in 2005 for robbing the widow at her home in Preston, Lancashire.

Then aged 48, Cyrus, who was also known as Ivan Leach, sparked a nationwide manhunt in October 2012 after walking out of HMP North Sea Camp in Boston, Lincolnshire.

He carried out 11 attacks on women in the Hampstead Heath area of north London before he was caught two months later.

Ivan Leach, also known as Lee Cyrus stalked and terrorised vulnerable women. On many occasions he was armed with a knife and wore a black balaclava

Cyrus has spent most of his life in prison after receiving his first conviction for burglary aged 15. His ‘dreadful’ list of crimes include a savage attack on Kathlyn Jackson, 92, who was left battered and bruised after he raided her home

The career criminal stalked and terrorised vulnerable women. On many occasions he was armed with a knife and wore a black balaclava.

One 61-year-old female victim suffered horrific facial injuries when Cyrus hit her with a metal bar when she opened the door to her home.

A spokesperson for the Parole Board said: ‘We can confirm that a panel of the Parole Board refused the release of Lee Cyrus following an oral hearing. The panel also refused to recommend a move to open prison. Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community.’

In a written summary, the Parole Board said that a decision to recommend Cyrus for release would only have come into effect after his minimum tariff had expired in December 2024. He did, however, qualify for an immediate transfer to open conditions.

The summary states that Cyrus’ behaviour in prison has been ‘exemplary’ and he had successfully completed ‘accredited programmes to address decision making, better ways of thinking, sex offending and a tendency to use violence.’

It continues: ‘More recently, he had participated in prison regimes to help people identify and deal with their problems. He was currently undertaking another intensive programme and had completed a training course which focused on victim awareness.

‘In this case, protective factors which would reduce the risk of reoffending were considered to be Mr Cyrus’ increased insight, his positive motivation and willingness to engage with support, and his positive attitudes towards working.’

Despite the positive steps, the Parole Board concluded that Cyrus’ history of absconding and his horrific return to sex attacks and violence in 2012 meant he was unsuitable for a move to an open jail.

Another attack saw Cyrus call at the door of a 61-year-old woman in north-west London and hitting her across the face with a four foot metal bar. He struck her in the face with the metal bar and told her to ‘shut up’ and ‘stop screaming’, detectives said

The summary states: ‘After considering the circumstances of his offending, the progress made while in custody and the other evidence presented at the hearings, the panel was not satisfied that Mr Cyrus was suitable for a transfer to open conditions at this stage.

‘While recognising the good progress made, there remained concerns about Mr Cyrus’ risk of absconding again, nor were open conditions considered strictly essential to his progression.’

Cyrus has spent most of his life in prison after receiving his first conviction for burglary aged 15.

His ‘dreadful’ list of crimes include a savage attack on Kathlyn Jackson, 92, who was left battered and bruised after he raided her home.

Cyrus was also found to have sex with a 13-year-old girl after giving her alcohol and pinning her down. He also branded the teenager with several tattoos during her ordeal in 1999.

Cyrus was also jailed for six years in 2002 – but freed after two – for slashing a couple with a screwdriver after an argument. He has also carried out dozens of robberies and burglaries, mainly on elderly women.

Despite his history of crime, Southwark Crown Court was told in December 2013 that Cyrus had been under little supervision when he absconded.

Prior to his escape, Cyrus had been living in lodgings close to the open prison with others who were being prepared for release in the community, and working in the nearby cemetery. The only restriction was a requirement that he sign himself in and out when leaving. 

He failed to return to the prison lodgings on October 9, 2012 before boarding a London-bound coach on October 20.

Armed police officers pictured near Kinnoull Hill in Perth today joining a manhunt for prisoner Lee Cyrus in October 2012

Prosecutor Christopher Amis told the jury: ‘For six weeks, Lee Cyrus, on a number of occasions whilst armed with a knife and wearing a black balaclava, stalked and terrorised female members of the public walking on and living in Hampstead Heath.

‘His offences consisted initially of indecently exposing himself to women while walking on the Heath.

‘They included the robbery of one woman, who had a knife held to her neck, the knife-point aggravated burglary of an 81-year-old woman’s home, and culminated in an incident in which the defendant, waiting in the shadows late one night, leapt out and exposed himself to a woman who was walking home alone.’

One attack involved Cyrus – who wore a black balaclava – battering a woman at her home in Hampstead Heath after ringing the doorbell. He smashed the 63-year-old woman over the head with a piece of wood or stone leaving a 1.5cm cut to her scalp. Another attack saw Cyrus call at the door of a 61-year-old woman in north-west London and hitting her across the face with a four foot metal bar.

He struck her in the face with the metal bar and told her to ‘shut up’ and ‘stop screaming’, detectives said.

Cyrus then pushed against her door and tried to get in but he ran off when she resisted. The victim was left with a 5cm cut to her face.

A third attack saw the knife-wielding, masked predator break into the bedroom of an 81-year-old woman. He demanded money and took her bag which contained cash, credit card, photos of her grandchildren and other items.

Cyrus was also linked to a ‘very serious’ sexual attack in Tayside, Scotland. He was also believed to have targeted two school girls in Preston city centre on October 17 2012.

Cyrus was also said to be the prime suspect after a 23-year-old woman was raped in her own home in Perth, Scotland, as she slept. He is alleged to have then callously returned to steal her mattress and dump it, in a bid to cover his tracks. Despite DNA evidence, the charges against him were dropped.

At one stage, 130 police officers from forces across the UK were involved in the hunt for Cyrus. 

The dangerous sex offender repeatedly changed his appearance to evade detection. He was eventually captured after police received a call from a member of the public who recognised Cyrus from a leaflet issued by police.

Officers attended the area and another later call was received about an incident in which Cyrus, waiting in the shadows late that night, leapt out and exposed himself to a woman who was walking home alone, whom he said he was going to rape, detectives said.

Within minutes police officers spotted Cyrus by Highgate Cemetery and after a brief struggle he was arrested in the early hours of December 2, 2012.

During the month-long trial, Cyrus repeatedly denied any involvement in the crimes and said police had just got the wrong man. He was found guilty.

Sentencing him to life with a minimum of 11 years, Judge Deborah Taylor said at the time: ‘You are clearly a manipulative man. The overwhelming picture is of you seeking out and preying on the vulnerability of women on and around Hampstead Heath.

‘You targeted women of all ages in any circumstances where you could do so. This was a series of planned, sexual and acquisitive crimes for which you have shown no remorse.

‘The evidence [the victims] gave with fortitude and resolve was chilling. The terror of those you attacked was clear. There can be no doubt you are a dangerous man. You have a dreadful history of previous violent offending going back to 1980.’

Cyrus will be able to apply again for parole in two years’ time.

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