A man who survived a brutal attack outside a Cardiff train station more than 20 years ago has died, with an inquest confirming the assault contributed to his death.
Leon Adams required 24 hour care for the rest of his life after being seriously assaulted outside Grangetown Railway Station in February 2002. He was just 24 years old at the time.
Leon died on Boxing Day 2024 aged 47. An inquest found that the brain injury he sustained during the attack contributed to his death.
Despite extensive investigations over the past two decades, the assault on Leon, who was also robbed of his wages, remains unsolved.
South Wales Police are now renewing their appeal for information, supported by a fresh personal plea from Leon’s mother and a cash reward from Crimestoppers of up to £20,000 for information leading to a conviction.
Detective Superintendent Mark O’Shea said Leon was left unconscious after being attacked and appealed directly to the local community for help.
“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 mother, Angela Main, described the devastating impact the attack had on her family and renewed her plea for someone to come forward.
“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.”
Anyone with information is urged to come forward.
Information can be submitted online at https://mipp.police.uk/operation/62WH020309A00-PO1
You can also contact police quoting reference 1800044587 via https://bit.ly/SWPProvideInfo or by calling 101.
Alternatively, information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Always call 999 in an emergency.
