A police manhunt has been launched for Leon Jeanne, the former professional footballer who played for clubs such as Cardiff City and Queens Park Rangers.
The 44-year-old, once considered Wales’ most promising young footballer, has been recalled to prison by South Wales Police but remains unaccounted for.
The reason for his recall has not been disclosed, but police shared his image and details, urging the public to come forward with any information.
Jeanne’s Football Career and Troubling Fall from Grace
Jeanne, who started his career at Arsenal at the age of 10, was once touted to become a football superstar like his contemporaries, including Craig Bellamy.
His natural talent was widely recognized, with former teammate Jay Bothroyd calling him the most talented player he had seen at that age.
However, Jeanne’s career took a drastic turn, and he never reached the heights many had expected.
Instead, his life became marked by a series of legal troubles.
Criminal Charges and Time Behind Bars
Jeanne’s most significant brush with the law came in 2015, when he was sentenced to 30 months in prison after being convicted for his involvement in a cocaine supply plot.
Over the years, his behavior spiraled further.
In 2017, he was involved in a violent altercation that included a hammer and bricks after one of his sons got into a confrontation with another man.
In 2019, Jeanne’s dangerous driving led to a conviction after a high-speed police chase at over 100mph, claiming he was fleeing a person involved in a feud.
Despite being released, he violated a curfew and was once again sent back to prison.
Tragic Family Loss and Legal Struggles Continue
In 2023, Jeanne faced another emotional blow when his son, Rafel, tragically died in a car crash along with two others in Cardiff.
Jeanne was granted temporary release to attend the funeral, where he was escorted by a probation officer while wearing a blue Nike tracksuit.
This was a moment of brief respite amid the chaos of his life. However, Jeanne’s connection to criminal activity remains strong, as seen with his recent legal issues.
Dangerous Driving Incident Near the Scene of His Son’s Crash
One of Jeanne’s more recent criminal offenses occurred in 2019, near the location where his son’s crash happened.
During a reckless driving incident, Jeanne was seen speeding through Cardiff, reaching speeds over 100mph.
He dangerously attempted to force his way between two cars, damaging one of them, before jumping out of his vehicle and attempting to flee.
Police had been tailing Jeanne for his erratic driving, which resulted in another criminal charge for dangerous driving.
Further Violence and Violations of the Law
The pattern of trouble continued with a violent incident in 2017 when Jeanne became involved in an altercation with a hammer and bricks after his son was involved in a dispute.
Jeanne, who arrived at the scene in his black Mercedes, was later found guilty of using threatening behavior and was sentenced to a community order.
This was just one example of how Jeanne’s life had taken a dark turn after his football career ended.
Sentencing and Legal Fallout
In 2015, Jeanne was sentenced to 30 months in prison for his involvement in drug offenses, marking the start of his troubled criminal record.
Although his once-promising career had him in the public eye, he now faces the consequences of a series of criminal actions that overshadow his footballing days.
After his release, Jeanne struggled to stay out of trouble and has continued to find himself in and out of prison.
Ongoing Investigation and Call for Public Assistance
South Wales Police have now issued an urgent call for help in locating Jeanne, who has been recalled to prison, but authorities have yet to clarify why.
The police have urged anyone with information on his whereabouts to contact them directly.
Jeanne’s past criminal activity and the high-profile nature of his case have made his situation a topic of public interest, with many wondering whether his past mistakes can ever be reconciled.
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