Jailbreak Convict 'Monster' Lee Cyrus on Run from Police

A lifer who has been labelled a "monster" by police has escaped from an open prison in Lincolnshire.

Lee Cyrus, 47, who is also known as Ivan Leach, escaped from North Sea Camp, Boston, while he was on day release.

He is serving life for robbery and has a number of previous convictions. In 1999 he pleaded guilty to unlawful sex with a 13-year-old schoolgirl and was jailed for 14 months. She said Cyrus spiked her drink and threatened to kill her if she told anyone.

Cyrus was ordered to register under the Sexual Offenders Act for 10 years. The NSPCC has warned that there was a high risk he would reoffend sexually against children.

He was jailed again in 2002, for six years, after he was found guilty of slashing a couple from Penwortham with a screwdriver as they walked home late at night.

Police believe Cyrus is in the Preston area and are cautioning the public not to approach him.

A spokesperson said: "We believe that Cyrus is in the Preston area. Specifically he has strong links to South Ribble, including Penwortham and Lostock Hall.

"We would ask the public to be vigilant and not to approach him but report any sightings to the police. Any details the public may have could be crucial."

Cyrus mostly lived in the Preston area but he had also stayed in Blackburn. He is described as white, 5ft 11 inches and of stocky build. He has cropped hair and hazel eyes.