The man who was brutally attacked 23 years ago has died

A man who was brutally attacked on a Cardiff street almost 23 years ago has died.

Leon Adams, 24 at the time, was found unconscious near Grangetown train station, Cardiff, in the early hours of 14 February 2002.

He spent two years in a coma after the attack. After coming out of the coma, he was left with quadrupeds, had difficulty communicating and needed constant care.

A reward of £10,000 was offered for help in capturing whoever was responsible but the attacker was never found.

The incident occurred on the same night that Wales played a football match against Argentina at the then Millennium Stadium.

Mr Adams was seen on CCTV in the city center at around 02:00 GMT, but at 05:10 he was found lying on the ground with swelling around his face and blood.

It is understood that the attack, which involved three people, occurred at around 02:30.

South Wales Police said it would continue to act on any new information it receives.

A spokesman said, “South Wales Police has never forgotten the brutal attack on Leon Adams in Grangetown on February 14, 2002, which unfortunately remains unsolved despite a thorough investigation.”

“We are aware that Leon has recently died. Our thoughts are with Leon’s family and friends at this tragic time.”

In 2018, a reward of £10,000 was offered for help in capturing the person responsible.

“For Leon, this means a lot,” his mother, Angela Main, said at the time.

“He often asks. He wants to know why. It’s even harder – why did they do it? We don’t know.”

“How do you stamp a man’s face, literally leaving a footprint so hard that it can be matched by a shoe? I don’t understand how.”