Tue Sep 03, 2019 11:15 am
Warrant issued after ex-Cardiff City footballer Leon Jeanne fails to turn up at court
By Liz Day
Tuesday 3rd September 2019
Leon Jeanne was sentenced for dangerous driving in July and has breached his court order
A crown court judge issued a warrant for the arrest of an ex-Cardiff City footballer after he failed to turn up for a hearing.
Judge Eleri Rees ordered the warrant when Leon Jeanne, who was once dubbed Wales’ most promising footballer, did not attend the hearing listed at Cardiff Crown Court on Tuesday.
The court heard he had been breaching his curfew requirement “almost continuously” in the last few weeks. Prosecutors, on behalf of Cardiff Probation, said he had also failed to comply with the unpaid work requirement of a community order.
Jeanne, 38, from Boswell Close in Llanrumney, was sentenced on July 16 after he admitted dangerous driving. He was given an eight-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to comply with a 12-week curfew.
On that occasion the court heard he exceeded 100mph as he sped away from the police before swerving off a dual carriageway. Jeanne was caught on camera trying to force his way between two lines of traffic at a red light before jumping out of his car.
The incident happened on the A48 in Cardiff at around 12.30pm on June 29 last year. Prosecutor Laurence Jones said the dangerous driving started by Tesco on Western Avenue and covered 2.6 miles to the slip road into Llanedeyrn.
The court heard Jeanne, who was driving a Volkswagen Golf, undertook an unmarked police car as he was travelling east. Jeanne was driving so fast as he passed the University Hospital of Wales that police could not make out his number plate.
The officer described his driving as “aggressive” and estimated he was exceeding 100mph with other cars pulling over to get out of his way.
Prosecutors said it is thought the defendant then became aware he was being followed by the police and swerved across chevrons on to the slip road at the last minute to try and “shake them off”.
Mr Jones said traffic was queuing on the slip road but Jeanne tried to force his way between two vehicles, causing £2,500 worth of damage to a Renault Clio he shunted from behind. He was caught on camera from a bin lorry lifting the Clio as he tried to push through the gap then jumping out of his car and trying to run away.
In his police interview, Jeanne said he thought he was being chased by someone he was in a “feud” with and drove off as he feared for his safety.
Prosecutors said he had previous convictions including taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent, driving while disqualified, and driving without insurance.
Owen Williams, defending, drew the judge’s attention to a character reference from Bridgend Street Football Club. He said his client was due to start a painting and decorating course and asked the judge to hold back from immediate custody.
Asked why Jeanne had not completed the requirements of a previous order Mr Williams said his client had been threatened while carrying out unpaid work. His offender manager said his unpaid work was paused while they investigated the allegations.
Wed Sep 04, 2019 4:45 pm
Such a shame - same old stories appearing every few years now. Can’t help but think it will all end in tears.
Thu Sep 05, 2019 1:45 am
LiamD1991 wrote:Such a shame - same old stories appearing every few years now. Can’t help but think it will all end in tears.
Surely having already been to prison in the past and now unemployed, that stage (tears) has already been reached?
Thu Sep 05, 2019 8:47 am
Alan_in_China wrote:LiamD1991 wrote:Such a shame - same old stories appearing every few years now. Can’t help but think it will all end in tears.
Surely having already been to prison in the past and now unemployed, that stage (tears) has already been reached?
I would argue a lot worse could happen. If he’s still involved in drugs and feuds those type of things lead to an ever sadder end to the one we’re seeing now.