Re-appeal for information on the brutal assault on Leon Adams in Grangetown in 2002

Leon Adams survived a brutal attack outside Grangetown Railway Station, but he required 24-hour care for the rest of his life.

He died on Boxing Day 2024 aged 47.

An inquest found that the brain injury sustained in the 2002 assault, when he was 24, contributed to his death.

Unfortunately, despite thorough investigations over the last two decades, the assault on Leon, who was also robbed of his wages, remains undetected.

Now detectives are hoping a renewed personal plea from Leon’s mum Angela and the announcement of a cash reward from Crimestoppers who help encourage anyone with information to come forward.

The charity is offering up to £20,000 for information that leads to the conviction of those responsible for attack.

Detective Superintendent Mark O’Shea, from South Wales Police, said:

“Leon was brutally and callously assaulted to the extent that he was left unconscious outside Grangetown train station.
“He was left for dead, in essence.
“I want to appeal to anyone who knows who assaulted Leon on that day.
“I'm sure now, and I'm sure last time I appealed for information in relation to this case that the answer is still within the community of Grangetown in Cardiff.
“There are people undoubtedly who know who assaulted Leon on the 14th of February 2002 and I’d appeal to them directly to contact us.
“We've had some recent contact this year from anonymous sources, providing information about the assault on Leon and I appeal to those people in particular to contact us.
“Do it for Leon's family, in particular his mother who is desperate to understand who assaulted her son in such a brutal and barbaric way, way back in 2002.
“She deserves closure in this case. She deserves justice in this case.
“So, please, I'm appealing to you directly. If you know information, about who assaulted Leon, please contact us.”

Leon’s mum Angela Main said:

“I had two sons with Leon, I had the son that lived for 24 and a half years, that was like the rest of us, had a normal life, ran around, loved computers, loved drawing and all those things.
“And then, one day I just didn't have him.
“And all I had was somebody in a persistent vegetative state.
“I can't fault the police investigation and, well they can’t do any more unless that person that knows what's happened would come forward.
“He wanted to know who it was, I'd like to know for his sake, and his family would.
“Please, just tell somebody.”

Please submit information here: https://mipp.police.uk/operation/62WH020309A00-PO1

Alternatively, please contact us quoting 1800044587:

• Contact us via https://bit.ly/SWPProvideInfo
• 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously 0800 555 111
• Always call 999 in an emergency