Ex-Cardiff star Leon Jeanne led out of son’s funeral in cuffs after bidding farewell to 24yo killed with 2 pals in crash
EX-FOOTBALLER Leon Jeanne was led out of his son’s funeral in handcuffs after bidding an emotional farewell to the young man who was killed in a horror crash.
Former QPR and Cardiff City star Jeanne, 42, was flanked by two police officers as he mourned son Rafel, 24, at the church service.
Rafel Jeanne and pals Eve Smith, 21, Darcy Ross, 21, died when their white VW Tiguan crashed near Newport, Wales, while Sophie Russon, 20, and Shane Loughlin, 32, survived.
Leon had to attend the funeral in handcuffs as he is currently serving a ten-year prison sentence after being jailed for conspiracy to supply cocaine.
His son Rafel and five friends had been enjoying a night out in Newport last month before vanishing at 2am.
Their car was found 46 hours later – with Shane and Sophie fighting for their lives for two days while laying amongst the bodies of their pals.
Rafel’s funeral was held at St Peter’s Church in Cardiff with hundreds of mourners dressed in black for attendance followed by a cremation service.
Father Leon wore a blue Nike tracksuit and was seen handcuffed to a cop as he made his way inside the church.
A rugby ball with Cymru written in flowers adorned Rafel’s hearse as did tributes reading Nephew, Brother, and Son and his own name was spelled out in yellow flowers on the roof.
Traditional Welsh hymns Calon Lan and Ar Hyd y Nos were sung at the church and the service at the crematorium concluded with Told You by rappers Yung Tory and Nafe Smaz.
Quad bikes followed the hearse and family cars, revving their engines.
A message in the order of service read: “The family would like to thank you for attending today and for the many kind messages of support and sympathy received.”
An inquest opening heard Rafel, Darcy, and Eve were identified by their mothers following the tragedy.
Court usher Lynne Carroll said: “Mr Jeanne aged 24 have been involved in a road traffic collision that had occurred on the A48 St Mellons, Cardiff, slip.
“He was declared deceased at the scene.”
Inquests into the deaths of the three victims opened last month but provisional causes of deaths are yet to be established.
Coroner David Regan adjourned the inquests for a date to be fixed.
The missing group were reported to Gwent police on Saturday evening of March 4 and then it was raised with the neighbouring South Wales police the next day.
The vehicle was eventually found nearly 48 hours after the crash, on March 6 and around 30 hours after the first missing person report was made to police.
They were all in a white VW Tiguan VE64 YLB which was taken away for investigation.
Sophie Russon and Shane Loughlin were injured in the crash and remain in hospital.
The two forces involved – Gwent Police and neighbouring South Wales Police – confirmed the tragedy and an investigation into their response will be held.