ReachThe mother of a man who died two decades after being brutally beaten has said “somebody knows who wrecked my son’s life” as she issued a Christmas plea to track down his killer.
Leon Adams died last December, 23 years after he was paralysed in an attack in Cardiff on Valentine’s Day 2002, which a coroner ruled had contributed to his death.
His mother Angela Main said: “They took his life twice – they took his life when they left him in that mess and then they took his life again when they killed him at the end, when he died.”
South Wales Police said it had received new information since Leon’s death and urged the same people to get in touch.
Family photoLeon was 24 when he was attacked after working a shift as a barman at The Cottage Inn on St Mary Street.
He had left work at 23:45 GMT on 13 February 2002, a night where the Wales football team played Argentina at the Millennium Stadium.
He was found at 05:16 the next day near Grangetown train station by a cleaner who had just finished a night shift.
When police arrived at the scene, they found his £138 wages had been taken.
Three men were seen arguing near the station around the time of the attack.
The case featured twice on ‘s Crimewatch programme in 2002 and 2013 but no one has ever been charged.
While robbery was thought to have been a potential motive, the brutality of the attack was particularly shocking.
The severity of Leon’s injuries left him in a coma for two years and needing 24/7 care for the rest of his life.
“Somebody stamped on his face,” said Angela. “Stamped so hard it was that stamp on the face that gave him tetraplegia,” meaning the paralysis Leon experienced due to severe damage to his spinal cord.
“I don’t know how they can live with themselves.”
Family photoDespite his injuries, Angela said Leon was eventually able to communicate with the use of a keyboard and screen, which she said revealed his “wicked sense of humour”.
She recalled how he enjoyed comedy and music, particularly David Bowie, whose songs he would mime along to.
“He was an absolute star – he fought and fought,” she said.
Any breakthrough in the investigation could make life “a little better” for his family and bring long-awaited “justice” for her son, she said.
“There’s people out there that know who it is – there’s got to be.”
South Wales PoliceDet Spt Mark O’Shea said his team was determined to try and solve the case.
“We’ve spent the last 20 years reviewing the evidence at various junctures, as science improves,” he said.
“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,” he said.
South Wales Police said anyone with information should contact Crimestoppers.