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4 February 2022

Gary Jenkins: Three people found guilty of murdering doctor in homophobic attack

Prosecutor Dafydd Enoch QC has apologised after claiming during the trial that Dr. Jenkins' "sexual predilections were to be his undoing."

By Alastair James

Words: Alastair James

Two men and a woman have been found guilty of the murder of a doctor in Cardiff last July.

Lee Strickland, 36, Jason Edwards, 25, and Dionne Timms-Williams, 17 were convicted of the murder of Dr. Gary Jenkins on Thursday (3 February) after previously admitting to manslaughter and robbery. 

Psychiatrist Dr. Jenkins died 16 days after the violent attack, which took place in the city’s Bute Park on 20 July. The trio is due to be sentenced on 25 March.

“Viciously beaten, robbed, tortured”

During the trial, prosecutors told the jury at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court, how Strickland, Edwards, and Timms-Williams had left Dr. Jenkins “for dead” after they had “viciously beaten, robbed, tortured” him.

The court also heard how Dr. Jenkins, who identified as bisexual and had been previously married with children, would visit the park “looking for sexual contact with like-minded men”. The trio had gone to the Summerhouse cafe are of the park, where men would often meet for sex. 

Audio of the attack captured by nearby CCTV cameras was played in court, which included Timms-Williams saying “I needed that.” Jason Edwards is also heard saying “Stamp on his head, stamp on his head.” according to prosecutors.

Dr. Jenkins’ injuries included fractures to his skull, bleeding on the brain, and severe bruising. A post-mortem examination concluded that the cause of death was blunt head injury and bleeding on the brain.

Prosecutor Dafydd Enoch QC said during the trial that Dr. Jenkins’ “sexual predilections had been his undoing”, which he has now apologised for following outrage with people saying he was victim-blaming. 

He’s told the BBC, “It was never my intention to apportion any blame on Dr. Jenkins.” The Crown Prosecution Service has also apologised for “inappropriate and insensitive remarks”.

Among those who were outraged by the prosecutions’ comments was Stonewall Cymru’s campaigns, policy, and research manager, Iestyn Wyn, who described the comments as “obviously insensitive” and that they were “a distraction from the crimes that were committed by the perpetrators.”

The Member of the Senedd [The Welsh Parliament] for Neath, who is gay, said the comments were “completely unacceptable”. On Twitter, he welcomed the apology.

Lisa Power, a co-founder of Stonewall, has confirmed that a vigil is being held for Dr. Jenkins on Sunday (6 February) in Cardiff at 5:30 pm at the National Museum. 

It’s an incredibly powerful reminder of the prevalence of homophobia in society in 2022. Despite all the progress that has been made regarding LGBTQ rights, there are still some who do not recognise us as equals.

Homophobic hate crimes have doubled in the last four years with more than 17,000 incidents recorded between 2020 and 2021 and around 8,500 in 2016/17. Anti-trans hate crime has also doubled in the same time period.

The Attitude February issue is out now. Get your copy here. 

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