More than two decades after Leon Adams was viciously attacked on Cardiff's streets in an incident that would ultimately claim his life years later, police have renewed their appeal to trace those responsible. Leon James Adams was 24 years old when he departed The Cottage pub on St Mary Street in Cardiff during the late hours of February 13, 2002.
He had recently completed his work shift and was carrying over £130 in cash as he left the establishment. At 5.16am the next morning - February 14, 2002 - officers were summoned to Grangetown railway station following reports of a man lying bloodied on the ground.
The wounded individual was Mr Adams, who was found unconscious with facial bruising and swelling. The money he possessed when leaving the pub was never recovered, leading police to suspect the savage attack was motivated by theft.
Mr Adams was rushed to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff after suffering "severe head injuries". He bore facial abrasions and a CT scan revealed brain swelling alongside bleeding on his brain's left side.
He subsequently contracted pneumonia and remained in a coma for two years before awakening, reports Wales Online.
However, when he woke he was quadriplegic and struggled to communicate. He lived in Yr Ysgol care home in Ystradgynlais and, following a deterioration in his health, passed away aged 47 on Boxing Day 2024 - almost 23 years after he was attacked.
In October this year coroner Patricia Morgan concluded: "Leon James Adams was a fit and healthy man until he was the victim of an assault at Grangetown railway station on February 14, 2002. He was left with catastrophic injuries and was reliant on a care home due to his substantial needs. He was prone to infections due to his condition."
Ms Morgan said it was "likely" that Mr Adams' condition meant it was harder for him to "fight infections", and concluded that the "brutal assault" inflicted upon him "more than minimally contributed to his death". The North Wales Live Whatsapp community for top stories and breaking news is live now - here's how to sign up
Mr Adams' mother 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."
Now Mr Adams' family, with the help of South Wales Police and Crimestoppers, are appealing for anyone who might have information to come forward. South Wales Police said it has received new information since Mr Adams' death.
Detective Superintendent Mark O'Shea at South Wales Police said his team was determined to try and solve the case. He said: "We've spent the last 20 years reviewing the evidence at various junctures, as science improves. A number of exhibits were recovered from the scene and we are hopeful that as science moves on it might give us an opportunity."
He added he was sure there were people in Cardiff who knew who was responsible for the attack, including some who had been in touch with police in the past 12 months since Leon's death. "Please contact us - his mother deserves justice."
Hayley Fry, Wales national manager for the charity Crimestoppers, said: "This was a violent and life-changing attack that left Leon Adams with devastating injuries which ultimately contributed to his death more than 20 years later.
"We believe there are people who know what happened to Leon that night and have never come forward or you may have seen something, heard something later, or not realised at the time how important their information could be.
"Crimestoppers is completely independent of the police. You will never be asked for your name or personal details, and we cannot trace calls or online reports. If you know anything at all about what happened to Leon, please tell our charity what you know." You can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, by calling 0800 555 111.