Police launch manhunt for former Arsenal, QPR and Cardiff footballer
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South Wales Police have launched a manhunt for former professional footballer Leon Jeanne, who has been recalled to prison.
The 44-year-old ex-Cardiff City and Queens Park Rangers player, who began his career at Arsenal aged 10, has not yet been located by authorities.
Police have not disclosed the reason for his recall but have released his photograph along with a reference number: 2500002271.
Jeanne was last seen in public two years ago when he attended his son's funeral whilst in custody, handcuffed and accompanied by prison guards.
South Wales Police have launched a manhunt for former professional footballer Leon Jeanne, who has been recalled to prison
He was once considered Wales' most promising young footballer, with expectations he would reach the highest levels of the game alongside contemporaries like Craig Bellamy.
Former Arsenal teammate Jay Bothroyd offered insight into Jeanne's early potential, saying: "He was at Arsenal with me and was the most talented player I'd ever seen at that age. He was unbelievable. But he went off the rails."
Despite his early promise, Jeanne's career never reached the heights that were anticipated for the former Wales under-21 international.
In March 2023, Jeanne's son Rafel was among three people who died in a tragic car crash in Cardiff, alongside Darcy Ross and Eve Smith, both 21.
Leon Jeanne 😞⚽️#cardiffcity #football #jaybothroyd #thecentralclub pic.twitter.com/831pZXcM9I
— The Central Club (@thecentralclub_) January 9, 2024
Two survivors, Sophie Russon, 20, and Shane Loughlin, 32, emerged from the incident near Cardiff Garden Centre in St Mellons.
Jeanne was permitted day release from prison to attend his son's funeral, where he appeared in a blue Nike tracksuit, handcuffed to a probation officer.
The location of his son's fatal crash was chillingly close to where Jeanne himself previously faced dangerous driving charges in 2019.
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In 2015, Jeanne was sentenced to 30 months in prison for his involvement in a cocaine supply plot.\
His most serious driving offence came in 2019, when he led police on a 100mph chase through Cardiff, claiming he was fleeing someone he was "in a feud with."
During the pursuit, he undertook an unmarked police car and attempted to force his way between two vehicles at traffic lights, causing £2,500 damage to a Renault Clio.
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He received an eight-month suspended sentence, was ordered to comply with a 12-week curfew, and was banned from driving for two years.
He was later recalled to prison for breaching the curfew conditions.
In 2017, Jeanne was involved in another violent incident when he arrived at the scene of a dispute involving his son in Cardiff's Llanrumney area.
Police recovered a hammer, piece of wood and bricks from the scene, where Jeanne had arrived in his black Mercedes.
Though he claimed to be a "peacemaker," Jeanne admitted using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour.
He received a 12-month community order with 180 hours of unpaid work.
His son Tremaine Jeanne was jailed for eight months for affray in connection with the incident.
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