Reward offered in renewed appeal as Cardiff man dies 22 years after brutal assault

We’re appealing for information to help identify those responsible for the violent assault of Leon Adams in Cardiff in 2002.

Leon Adams after the assault

The attack left Leon with devastating injuries that ultimately contributed to his death more than two decades later. 

Leon before the assault

Leon Adams was 24 years old and working as a barman at The Cottage pub on St Mary Street in Cardiff. After finishing his shift on the evening of 13 February 2002, he left the city centre on foot. In the early hours of 14 February, he was found unconscious outside Grangetown railway station with catastrophic head injuries. He had been violently assaulted and suffered a severe brain injury.

Police believe Leon may have been robbed, as his wages, thought to be about £130, were missing. 

The attack is believed to have been unprovoked.

Despite extensive enquiries, including CCTV checks and witness appeals, no-one has ever been arrested or charged in connection with the assault. 

Leon spent over two years in a coma and, when he regained consciousness, he was left quadriplegic and unable to speak. He required 24-hour care for the rest of his life. 

Leon passed away on Boxing Day 2024, aged 47. An inquest later found that the brain injury sustained in the 2002 assault contributed to his death. 

As an independent charity, Crimestoppers is supporting this investigation by offering a reward of up to £20,000 for information we exclusively receive – either online or by calling 0800 555 111 – that leads to the conviction of those responsible for the 2002 attack.

Do you have information, but don't want to speak to the police? You can tell us what you know and remain 100% anonymous - guaranteed. 

Call free any time on 0800 555 111 or fill in our quick, easy & secure online form, right here on our website:

Give information anonymously

“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 they 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.”

Hayley Fry, Crimestoppers Wales National Manager 

Anonymity

Crimestoppers guarantees complete anonymity, meaning that people who call or contact us online can pass on what they know without ever giving any personal details. Computer IP addresses are never traced. Telephone calls are never recorded, there is no caller line display and no 1471 facility.

Claiming a reward

The reward will only be payable for information passed directly to Crimestoppers and not to the police. A reward code must be asked for when calling our charity on 0800 555 111. If you contact us via our online form anonymously, the 'keeping in contact’ facility must be used and a reward code must be requested on your initial contact.
 
More details about the rewards process – at the heart of which is ensuring you stay 100% anonymous - can be found here.

22 December 2025