Hate Crime Horror: Southampton Man Jailed for Attacking Trans Woman and PCSO
Brutal Assault on Transgender Woman
Neil Junior Cleal, 25, from Victoria Road, Southampton, has been slammed with a 19-month prison sentence after viciously attacking a transgender woman and a police community support officer (PCSO) in separate incidents.
On the evening of 21 July 2020, Cleal confronted a woman in her 50s on Ludlow Road, hurling abusive slurs targeting her gender identity. The attack escalated quickly—he kicked down her front gate, spat in her face, and punched her repeatedly to the head. The victim was left reeling and in significant pain after falling backwards.
Threatening a PCSO on Patrol
The violence didn’t stop there. On 24 March 2021, Cleal encountered three PCSOs on St Mary’s Street. He shouted abuse, then shoved one officer in the arm while making menacing threats. His unchecked aggression landed him further charges of assaulting an emergency worker.
Court Delivers Justice
At Southampton Crown Court on 16 April, Cleal admitted to Actual Bodily Harm (ABH), criminal damage, and assaulting an emergency worker. He was handed 16 months for the attack on the woman and an extra 14 weeks for the PCSO assault, totalling 19 months and two weeks behind bars.
Police Praise Victim and Public
“The assault on the woman in Ludlow Road was abhorrent and totally unprovoked,” said PC Tony Godfrey from Southampton East Neighbourhood Team.
“Targeting someone due to their gender identity is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
I commend the woman’s bravery in coming forward and thank the public who helped identify Cleal following our witness appeal.
We urge anyone who suffers hate crimes or serious threats to report them to police via 101, 999 in an emergency, or online at www.report-it.org.uk.”
