Drugs 'destroyed' footballer's career

Leon Jeanne (right) left Cardiff City in May 2001

A court has heard how a former professional footballer's career was destroyed by cocaine after he allegedly joined a drugs ring to pay for his habit.

Former Cardiff City and Queen's Park Rangers player Leon Jeanne, 22, is accused of being part of the gang pushing the "fashionable" drug.

Cardiff Crown Court was told how the former Wales Under-21 player from Cardiff earned £1,500 a week when he signed as a professional footballer at the age of 17 for QPR.

He has denied a charge of conspiracy to supply cocaine, an offence which is alleged to have taken place between April and August 2002.

The court heard how his early promise was "destroyed" when he became addicted to cocaine.

Fashionable

Prosecutor Stephen Hopkins QC said: "Leon Jeanne is the living proof of the consequences of cocaine use.

He became addicted to cocaine and was admitted to the Priory centre Prosecutor Stephen Hopkins QC

"Cocaine is a very fashionable drug in certain circles and, no doubt, people who use it do so believing it is just a bit of fun with no long-term effects."

But he told the jury that they "may well remember Jeanne's name" from sports headlines.

He said: "He was a talented young professional footballer for QPR and later for Cardiff City.

"But he became addicted to cocaine and was admitted to the Priory centre. He attended the Priory at the expense of Cardiff City.

"But he either remained addicted or returned to using the drug."

"The consequences for Jeanne is that he destroyed his football career," he added.

The court heard how Raymond Legall, 32, oversaw the operation from his apartment in Cardiff bay.

Mr Hopkins said Jeanne used his soccer wages to buy cocaine from Legall to feed his habit.

The court heard Legall's "right hand man" in the operation was Anton Robins, 29, who lived near the gang's base in Butetown, Cardiff.

Kyle Ali, 24, from Butetown, is alleged to have acted as warehouseman for the drugs ring - storing the cocaine until it was ready to be sold.

Jeanne denies being involved in the conspiracy.

The trial continues.