The Crown Prosecution Service has apologised for comments made by a senior barrister during a murder trial, after he was accused of victim blaming.
Jason Edwards, Lee Strickland and Dionne Timms-Williams were found guilty of murdering Dr Gary Jenkins in a Cardiff park on July 10, 2021.
Despite the 54-year-old pleading for his life during the brutal 15 minute attack, he was left for dead in a Cardiff park and died two weeks later.
READ MORE: Killer found with murder victim's bank card after beating doctor to death
The jury took only four hours to reach a guilty verdict on all three defendants, one of whom is from Liverpool.
Dafydd Enoch QC has since apologised for comments he made during the trial which prompted criticism online, reports WalesOnline.
Opening the case for the Crown Prosecution Service, Mr Enoch said the victim had been in the park for "sexual contact with like-minded men" and "his sexual predilections were to be his undoing".
Speaking to the jury, he said: “Dr Jenkins was in the habit of attending Bute Park in Cardiff at night looking for sexual contact with like-minded men and would drink heavily as well. He was thought of as fit and healthy and was proud of his appearance. He had no financial difficulties.
“His sexual proclivities were to be his undoing. By engaging in that activity he rendered himself hopelessly vulnerable and was an easy target as he wandered about Bute Park. By its nature the activity he engaged in was risky.”
Prosecutor Mr Enoch has since said Dr Jenkins was in no way to blame.
In his closing argument, Mr Enoch addressed some of the concerns raised on social media adding: "Gary Jenkins was in no way to blame for what happened to him. At the outset of the evidence, I read to you the statement of Paul Cantrell, Gary Jenkins' line manager and he stated that Dr Jenkins' friends and colleagues became aware of his habit of visiting Bute Park at night looking for like-minded men. And he said his friends were very concerned about that.
"The prosecution simply points to the fact that Dr Jenkins was indeed vulnerable in that park. But we're clear, he bore no responsibility for being a victim. Three people are responsible and they are these defendants.
"They seized upon his vulnerability to launch a gratuitously violent and homophobic attack."
The Crown Prosecution Service has also apologised.
A spokesperson said: "The 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.
"We apologise for inappropriate and insensitive remarks made during the opening statement."
His comments drew widespread online criticism.
In a statement following the verdict Iestyn Wyn, campaigns, policy and research manager at Stonewall Cymru said lesbian, gay, bi, trans and queer people should be "free to go about their lives without fear or restriction", adding: "But the tragic death of Dr Jenkins is reminder of the hate our communities face for simply existing."
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here
