Rape police following several leads

Oct 30 2012

Police searching for a man who raped a young woman have said they are keeping an open mind about the investigation.

Grampian Police say they are following several leads after the 22-year-old woman was attacked in the Powis area of Aberdeen on Saturday morning.

The rapist is around 30-years-old, white, about 6ft, of medium build and has an unkempt appearance, as if he had been sleeping rough. He is thought to have been wearing a black hooded top, a red, white and blue scarf, and grey or black hiking boots with thick laces.

More than 100 police officers are involved in the investigation and Detective Chief Inspector Martin Dunn described the rape as a "particularly nasty attack".

Grampian Police said their investigation is not focusing on a specific person.

Inspector Dunn said: "Our inquires are at an early stage and we are keeping an open mind. At this time the investigation is not focusing on one specific individual and the public should be assured that we will investigate every possible line on inquiry."

The investigation comes as officers across the country continue to hunt for absconded prisoner Ivan Leach, described as a "dangerous and predatory individual" and who is suspected to have committed a serious sex offence while on the run.

Leach, 47, also known as Lee Cyrus, failed to return to North Sea Camp open prison in Boston, Lincolnshire after day-release on October 9. The public are warned not to approach him under any circumstances as he poses a significant risk. Police say he is believed to have carried out a serious sexual attack in Tayside since he absconded.

Leach, from Preston, is white, around 5ft 11in and stocky, with cropped hair and brown eyes. The last confirmed sighting of him is on the evening of Friday October 19 in Lea, Preston but, despite a nationwide appeal, he remains at large.

He has been linked to a sexual attack in Perth. On October 15 a woman was woken and raped by an intruder in her home. The following day a mattress was stolen from the victim's home before the attack was reported to police.