A top Scottish law chief said it is “unsatisfactory” that charges against a notorious violent criminal suspected of brutal offences in Perth were dropped.
In a letter written by the Solicitor General of Scotland to MSP Annabelle Ewing, Lesley Thomson QC confirms a “lack of corroboration” meant there was insufficient evidence to prosecute Lee Cyrus.
The violent criminal was on the run from prison and became the prime suspect for the rape of a young woman and a separate assault of a 68-year-old in her own home in October 2012.
Despite scores of armed police scouring portions of Perth using dogs and a helicopter, as well as maintaining high-visibility patrols in the Bridgend area of the city, the attacker was never found.
Cyrus was later captured in London and was jailed for life at Southwark Crown Court on December 13 for a catalogue of offences against women, including hitting one with a 4ft-long metal bar.
He was convicted on two counts of grievous bodily harm, aggravated burglary and knifepoint robbery.
Cyrus, also known as Ivan Leach, was charged with a number of offences that took place in the Perth area in October 2012.
However, it emerged recently he will not stand trial for the crimes.
In the letter sent by the Solicitor General for Scotland to the MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Mrs Thomson reveals that the Perth crimes were “most serious” and that all lines of inquiry and potential sources of evidence were explored.
She said: “Extensive forensic examination was carried out and the case was re-reported to the Crown Counsel for a decision on how to proceed.
“Crown Counsel instructed that because of a lack of corroboration there was insufficient evidence to prosecute Lee Cyrus for the crimes reported.”
Mrs Thomson said that the Crown Office have met with both the victim of the alleged rape and 68-year-old assault victim, Marjory Moran, to explain why no prosecution could take place against Cyrus.
She also admitted she was not pleased with the outcome and said it is could be used to support moves to alter the law on corroboration.
“I can understand the disappointment and concern expressed about this case,” she said in the letter.
“It is extremely frustrating to prosecutors that no action could be taken in respect of the offences reported. Indeed, it is unsatisfactory for victims to be denied access to justice because, despite their account of what has happened, a lack of corroborative evidence means that proceedings can’t be raised against their attackers.
“The Crown Office and Prosecutor Fiscal Service fully supports the proposals of the Scottish Government to abolish the requirements of corroboration and believes that by doing so more victims of crime will have access to justice.”
The Courier attempted to contact Ms Moran at her Perth home yesterday but she was unavailable for comment.
Quoted in another newspaper, she said: “I have moved on a lot but can’t completely shut the book until he [Cyrus] gets convicted.
It must be even worse for the other victim my heart goes out to her.”
Mrs Thomson has 25 years’ experience as a prosecutor and is an acknowledged specialist in the prosecution of serious crime.