DENNIS LECKIE FROM AIRDRIE AND EDINBURGH: SERIAL PREDATOR ON THE LOOSE NEAR HIS FIRST VICTIM

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the communities of Airdrie and Edinburgh, Dennis Leckie, a man with a long and troubling history of sexual offenses against young boys, continues to pose a significant threat despite his legal battles and the passage of time.

Leckie, now deceased as of March 2013, was a 39-year-old convicted paedophile whose criminal activities date back over two decades. His latest residence in Airdrie, Lanarkshire, places him just a few hundred yards from his first known victim, a young boy who was only nine years old when Leckie assaulted him in 1982. This proximity has caused considerable distress among local residents, especially those who remember the initial case and are now concerned about the potential danger Leckie still represents.

Neighbors have expressed their outrage and fear, demanding that authorities take action to remove him from the area. Many are particularly upset because Leckie’s first victim continues to live nearby, and the community fears that the predator might reoffend. Leckie’s daily routine consisted of watching television or wandering the streets, often disappearing for days at a time, which only heightened concerns about his whereabouts and intentions.

Members of Leckie’s own family have voiced their opinions, with his sister Margaret stating, “They should throw away the key. My mother has taken him in because he’s her son but I’m furious. He has always claimed that he’s innocent but I don’t think any of us know the half of what he has been up to.” Conversely, his mother has defended him, saying, “I feel very sorry for the victim’s family but Dennis needs help.”

Leckie’s criminal record is extensive. In 2000, he was sentenced to nine years in prison after attacking a 16-year-old boy. The court also recommended that he be monitored for an additional five years due to the serious threat he posed to children. Despite this, Leckie was released, and his legal troubles continued. His case has been marred by multiple retrials, the latest of which collapsed on a legal technicality last month, allowing him to walk free once again.

Senior detectives have voiced their grave concerns, emphasizing that Leckie remains a dangerous sexual predator. One officer stated, “Leckie will attack again. He’s a serious sexual predator. It is no exaggeration to say that he could end up seriously harming a child unless he is behind bars.”

Adding to the community’s anxiety, a friend of Leckie’s first victim expressed fears about the ongoing risk, saying, “This poor man may now be faced with meeting Leckie on the street. It’s been very traumatic for him.” Another local resident warned of potential vigilante actions, remarking, “Some people are talking about taking things into their own hands which is very worrying.”

Earlier in October 2002, Leckie’s case made headlines again when he was released after an incident involving his alleged victim, Steven Mitchell. Mitchell, a teenager at the time, had accused Leckie of threatening to sexually molest him, leading to a nine-year prison sentence. The court had ordered that Leckie be closely monitored for five years post-release due to the threat he posed.

However, subsequent legal proceedings were marred by complications. The Court of Appeal allowed a re-trial after ruling that a crucial line of questioning had been wrongly prevented. Multiple re-trials were aborted after Mitchell publicly identified Leckie as a known sex attacker, further complicating the case. During a court appearance, Mitchell blurted out, “He is a well-known paedophile. He tried to rape me and he should go to jail or get hung.”

Ultimately, the Crown dropped the charges against Leckie, citing the unlikelihood of securing a new trial. The entire legal saga, which cost taxpayers approximately £75,000, underscored the ongoing controversy surrounding Leckie’s case. It was also revealed that Leckie had previously served time for sodomizing a young boy and for another sexual assault on a youth, highlighting a disturbing pattern of predatory behavior that has persisted over many years.