Ex-footballer led from son’s funeral in handcuffs after horror crash kills three

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Leon Jeanne was led out of his son
Leon Jeanne was led out of his son's funeral in handcuffs (Image: John Myers)

A former football star said an emotional farewell to his tragic son in handcuffs, weeks after he died in a devastating car smash.

Rafel Jeanne, 24, was killed in Newport, Wales, alongside pals Eve Smith, 21, Darcy Ross, 21, when their VW Tiguan crashed on the way back from a night out.

The group weren't found for two days as a major hunt began.

Their car was eventually discovered as Sophie Russon, 20, and Shane Loughlin, 32, were rushed to hospital with serious injuries.

Leon Jeanne was led out of his son's funeral in cuffs after bidding an emotional farewell today.

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Ex-footballer led from son’s funeral in handcuffs after horror crash kills threeRafel Jeanne was one of three people killed in the crash last month
Ex-footballer led from son’s funeral in handcuffs after horror crash kills threeHe is currently serving a ten-year prison sentence and was flanked by officers (John Myers)

The 42-year-old was escorted by two officers at the church service before he was returned to prison.

The ex-QPR and Cardiff City player was forced to attend the funeral in handcuffs as he is serving a ten-year sentence after being found guilty of conspiracy to supply cocaine.

He wore a blue tracksuit at St Peter's Church in Cardiff as the bereaved father paid his respects alongside over 400 mourners.

Rafel's hearse was adorned with a rugby ball with Cymru written in flowers as he made his final journey followed by revving quad bikes.

Ex-footballer led from son’s funeral in handcuffs after horror crash kills threeThe former football was along the mourners today (John Myers)

Father Chris Fuse, who led the service, said: "What impressed me was the vast number of young people who came today - many of them looking rather solemn considering the background of Rafel's death and his friends.

"But they responded to the sense of prayer, to this being a house of God and they responded to a sense of being together and that's what we hoped to emphasise. A community meeting together in faith and friendship.

"It was very nice to see such a vast turn out - it means the family will have a lot of support which they certainly need.

Ex-footballer led from son’s funeral in handcuffs after horror crash kills threeThe scene in the St Mellons area of Cardiff where three friends who disappeared on a night out died (PA)

"He was a very popular sportsman. I think that you can see - in him and in young people - hope for the future and so we did talk a bit about hope and we did have a reading of St Paul speaking about hope.

"His mum also said, that's all we can cling to - hope for a good future."

An inquest heard how the friends were identified by their mothers following the tragedy.

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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."

Sam Elliott-Gibbs

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