Footballer's life 'ruined' by drugs

Leon Jeanne (right) was sacked by Cardiff City

A former Cardiff City footballer's life was "ruined" by cocaine abuse, a court has heard.

Former Bluebirds striker Leon Jeanne, 22, earned up to £1,000 a week during his career and has admitted he "blew it" on cocaine.

He is on trial at Cardiff Crown Court where he denies conspiracy to supply cocaine.

The former Arsenal schoolboy player is charged with being part of a gang which is accused of supplying £500,000 of the drug.

He was away from home for the first time, he had money in his pocket and succumbed to taking cocaine - but then cocaine took him David Thomas, defending

David Thomas, defending, told the jury the footballer's life had been ruined by cocaine abuse after he moved to London as a teenager.

Mr Thomas said: "His life has already been ruined and the skill that he had may have gone as well.

"The future he had has gone, the money, glory and popularity have all gone because of cocaine.

"He was away from home for the first time, he had money in his pocket and succumbed to taking cocaine - but then cocaine took him.

"But none of that makes him a drug dealer."

'Celebrity'

The court heard that Mr Jeanne was £6,000 in debt, but in one undercover police video which was shown to the jury, he was seen driving to an alleged drug deal in a BMW convertible.

Mr Thomas said: "He borrowed an expensive car, but if you are lucky enough to be a Beckham or someone like that you an borrow cars.

"It's part of being a celebrity - in Cardiff, Jeanne was a celebrity and people like to be with those who are well-known."

Mr Jeanne admitted to police he had a cocaine habit - despite Cardiff City paying for him to have treatment at the Priory clinic.

But Stephen Hopkins QC, prosecuting, said Mr Jeanne had introduced new customers to cocaine dealer Raymond Legall.

'Fame and fortune'

He said: "In many ways you might have some sympathy for him. He found fame and fortune at a young age.

"Quite clearly he was overwhelmed.

"He had a sudden rush of importance in the sporting world and was mixing with people it would be wiser not to mix with.

"Jeanne had no legitimate source of income, so in order to fund his habit he was bringing other customers down to one of Legall's trading posts."

The court heard Legall's alleged "right hand man" in the operation was Anton Robins, 29, of Butetown, Cardiff.

The other alleged gang members are Legall's girlfriend Kelly Baines, 22, from Cardiff Bay, Kyle Ali, 24, from Butetown and Nixon Miah, 26, from Birchgrove, Cardiff.

Legall has admitted conspiracy to supply cocaine.

The others all deny the charge.

The trial continues.