Police manhunt for ex-Cardiff and QPR star, 44, once dubbed Wales’ most promising footballer as he’s wanted back in jail
Two years ago, he was allowed out on day release from prison to attend the funeral of his son
COPS have launched a manhunt for an ex-Cardiff and QPR star who was once dubbed Wales’ most promising footballer.
Leonne Jeanne, 44, has been “recalled to prison” by South Wales Police.
The former footy star was convicted of dangerous driving in 2019 after being chased by police at 100mph on the same road where his son was found dead.
He was later sent to prison for breaching a curfew.
Four years earlier, in 2015, he had been jailed for 30 months for his part in a plot to supply cocaine.
The police appeal said: “Leonne Jeanne. Age: 44. From Cardiff. Recalled to Prison. Give reference 2500002271.”
The talented young footballer began his career with Queens Park Rangers before joining his hometown team Cardiff City.
However, Jeanne suffered from drug and alcohol addiction and was given a two-year suspended ban by the Football Association of Wales after testing positive for a class A drug.
Continued disciplinary problems eventually led to his release from Cardiff.
In June 2011, Jeanne joined then Championship side Brighton & Hove Albion for pre-season training in a bid to earn a contract and play football at a high level once more.
Jeanne started the 2011–12 season playing for Welsh Premier League side Afan Lido but left before the start of the 2012–13 season to join Carmarthen Town.
He would go on to play just six times more for Port Talbot Town before his career sadly came to an end in 2015.
Two years ago, Jeanne was allowed out on day release from prison to attend the funeral of his son, who was among three people to die in a horror car crash in Cardiff.
Jeanne, then 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.
Leonne had to attend the funeral in handcuffs as he served 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 before vanishing at 2am.
Their car was only found 46 hours later in the tragedy.
Father Leonne wore a blue Nike tracksuit and was seen handcuffed to a cop as he made his way inside the church.
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.
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.
Shane Loughlin, 32, and Sophie Russon, 20, were critically injured and taken to hospital in the crash.
However, Loughlin was sentenced for dangerous driving although his sentence was later reduced in 2024.
The offences were not connected with the crash that happened later that night
He was not driving at the time of the crash in St Mellons, Cardiff, but had driven the same car while inhaling laughing gas just hours before.
Loughlin was a passenger in the Volkswagen Tiguan when it veered off the A48 in east of Cardiff and crashed into undergrowth back in March 2023.
