Southampton Man Jailed for Brutal Hate Crime Attack
Neil Junior Cleal, 25, of Victoria Road, Southampton, has been locked up for nearly 20 months after a shocking hate crime against a woman in her 50s.
Vicious Attack Over Gender Identity Abuse
On the evening of 21 July 2020, Cleal confronted the woman in Ludlow Road, shouting abusive slurs about her gender identity. Without warning, he kicked down her front gate, spat in her face, then repeatedly punched her head, leaving her in severe pain and knocked to the ground.
Threats and Assault on Emergency Worker
Cleal’s aggression didn’t end there. On 24 March 2021, he abused three PCSOs patrolling St Mary’s Street, pushing one and issuing threats. This led to an additional charge for assaulting an emergency worker.
Justice Served: 19 Months Behind Bars
Appearing at Southampton Crown Court on 16 April, Cleal pleaded guilty to actual bodily harm (ABH), criminal damage, and assaulting an emergency worker. He was sentenced to 16 months for the attack on the woman, plus 14 weeks for assaulting the PCSO — totalling 19 months and two weeks behind bars.
“The assault was abhorrent and totally unprovoked,” police said. “Targeting someone due to gender identity or sexual orientation is completely unacceptable and won’t be tolerated.”
Police praised the victim’s bravery in coming forward and thanked the public for helping identify Cleal through witness reports.
Speak Out Against Hate Crime
If you experience hate crime or serious threats, report it immediately. Call 101 (or 999 in an emergency) or use the True Vision website.
Stay informed on local crime and community news by signing up for Hampshire Alert at https://orlo.uk/5ZuiA.
