Valentine attack victim 'improving'

Leon Adams had been working at a pub on St Mary Street

A man who has been in a coma since he was attacked in Cardiff more than two years ago is showing signs of recovery, his mother has said.

Barman Leon Adams, who is now 26, was found unconscious at Grangetown railway station on Valentine's Day in 2002.

Despite repeated appeals for information by police, no-one has been charged over the assault.

He can now communicate with his mother Angie Murphy - responding to questions by blinking and squeezing her finger.

"Leon's blinking his eyes, he can move his thumb, so he can squeeze and press a buzzer," said Ms Murphy.

"He can answer questions yes and no, he can distinguish between pictures and colours and he appears to be able to read.

Angie Murphy has not given up hope of finding her son's attackers

"I don't want to hold out too much hope - I can't allow myself to.

"But there is a bit of hope that, one day, Leon's going to tell me what happened."

Mr Adams, who was brought up in the Swansea Valley, has remained unconscious since the incident, which happened on the night of the Wales-Argentina football match.

He was robbed of his £130 wages in the attack, which happened after he had been working at the Cottage pub on St Mary Street in the city centre.

Mr Adams left the pub at around 1145 BST, and was spotted on CCTV walking down St Mary Street just before 0200 GMT.

He was found unconscious just after 0500 GMT in the station on Penarth Road.

Fresh appeal

Detective Inspector Paul Fenton from South Wales Police, used Mr Adams' change in condition to make another appeal for anyone with any information about the attack to contact police.

"It only needs one call and we'll be there," he said.

"There are forensic opportunities we can do, to link any person coming forward.

"Anybody who knows who has done this, please come forward."

It is the latest of several appeals by police since the attack, two of which were broadcast on the BBC's Crimewatch programme.

And two years ago, a £20,000 reward was announced in a bid to encourage people with information to come forward.

A poster campaign was also launched when Wales played Bosnia in February 2003.