Three Convicted Over ‘Homophobic’ Murder Of Welsh Psychiatrist
Image: Fifty-four year old Dr Gary Jenkins (left) was brutally gay bashed to death in a park in Cardiff on July 20, 2021 by Lee Strickland, 36 (extreme right), Jason Edwards, 25, and Dionne Timms-Williams, 17 (centre).
The three people responsible for the fatal homophobic bashing of Welsh psychiatrist Dr Gary Jenkins in Cardiff鈥檚 Bute Park last July have been found guilty of murder.
Trigger Warning: This story has details of a brutal, homophobic murder and might be distressing to some readers.聽For 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention call Lifeline on 13 11 14.聽For Australia-wide 17c起草社区I peer support call QLife on 1800 184 527 or .
According to British media outlets, the three accused聽Lee Strickland, 36, Jason Edwards, 25, and Dionne Timms-Williams, 17, murdered the 54-year-old father of two in the early hours of July 20, 2021.
Dr Jenkins 鈥渟uffered multiple severe brain injuries鈥� and died at 鈥渢he University of Wales鈥� 16 days later.聽
‘Horrible To Have To Listen To The Details Of What Happened’
The trio pleaded to manslaughter, robbery and assault. They were, however, found guilty of murder by a jury at Merthyr Tyfdil Crown Court on Thursday. The sentencing will take place on March 25.
The Jenkins family released a statement in which they wrote: 鈥淕ary was such a kind soul who would never hurt anyone. He was an incredibly generous and creative man who had only good intentions.”聽
鈥淕ary鈥檚 private life being put on display through a crown court trial has only intensified the impact of this event on our family, friends and colleagues. It has been horrible to have to listen to the details of what happened.鈥澛�
The family described the father-of-two as a 鈥渉umane, kind鈥� and 鈥渃ompassionate鈥� doctor. They said his 鈥渦ntimely death鈥� had also had an 鈥渋mpact鈥� on his patients.聽
Killers Motivated By Homophobia And Greed
https://twitter.com/SWPCardiff/status/1489256018378846217
The consultant psychiatrist had been married and fathered two girls. He separated from his wife in 2015 and moved back to his home city of Cardiff.聽
According to , 鈥減rosecutors said the killers were 鈥榤otivated by greed, homophobia and straight-up violence鈥欌��. The news outlet also reported the trio were 鈥渋n search of vulnerable gay men to rob.鈥�
Jurors were played a 15 minute audio clip of the attack, taken from the nearby Summerhouse Caf茅鈥檚 CCTV camera.聽
Prosecutors said the recording revealed the minutes in which Dr Jenkins was 鈥渃ruelly beaten, robbed, tortured and left for dead.鈥澛�
Dr Jenkins reportedly pleaded for his attackers to 鈥渓eave [him] alone鈥� and said 鈥済et off me.鈥� He also asked 鈥渨hy鈥� and told them to 鈥減lease stop it.鈥� The offenders hurled homophobic slurs at him as they bashed him to death.聽
Passerby, Louis Williams 鈥渃an be heard attempting to intervene鈥� but the trio then assaulted him.
Concerns About Prosecution’s Stand In Court
Stonewall Cymru鈥檚 spokesperson Iestyn Wyn 鈥渞aised concerns at the way the prosecution presented the case.鈥澛�
The Guardian reported Prosecutor Enoch had told the jury 鈥渢he victim鈥檚 鈥榮exual predilections would be his undoing鈥� and that he was well liked despite his lifestyle choices or peccadilloes鈥欌�� because he was possibly cruising in the city centre park.
The Crown Prosecution Service apologised in a statement: 鈥淭he only people responsible for this horrific crime were those convicted today by the jury. The suggestion that Dr Jenkins was in any way to blame is completely wrong.聽We apologise for inappropriate and insensitive remarks made during the opening statement.鈥�
鈥淟esbian, gay, bi, trans and queer people should be free to go about their lives without fear or restriction, but the tragic death of Dr Jenkins is reminder of the hate our communities face for simply existing,鈥� Wyn said.聽
Hate Crimes
Wyn added, 鈥渞emarks made during the trial have further eroded the trust that our communities have in our justice system鈥s people across the UK mourn the heartbreaking loss of Dr Jenkins, the government must take urgent action to challenge anti-17c起草社区+ attitudes and ensure all our communities are safe and free.鈥�
According to Wyn, 鈥渇our in five (81%) of 17c起草社区+ people 鈥� in Britain.聽
Stonewall will hold a vigil for Dr Jenkins on Sunday on the steps of the National Museum Wales in Cardiff.
If you feel distressed reading the story, you can reach out to support services.
For 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention call Lifeline on 13 11 14
For Australia-wide 17c起草社区I peer support call QLife on 1800 184 527 or .
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