Kingsway drag cage fighters duo receive threats
TWO cross-dressing cage-fighters at the centre of a global media circus have been receiving threats on their phones and over the internet.
James Lilley and Daniel Lerwell became overnight internet sensations when CCTV footage of them clobbering boozed-up yobs on Swansea's Kingsway spread all over the world.
Video interview with Lilley and Lerwell below
Newspapers, magazines, radio and television companies have this week been in a scramble to interview the pair, who were targeted in an unprovoked attack.
But not all the attention they have received this week has been welcome — after the pair revealed they had received text threats on their mobile phones, and warnings on social networking site Facebook.
Daniel, aged 23, said: "The last few days have been crazy. But I've started getting text messages, telling me to watch my back. And there have been threats against us on Facebook.
"But it doesn't worry me. If anyone wants to, let's get in the gym together and let's have it one on one."
James, aged 22, added: "I'm not bothered by it. They are just idiots."
The two pals, who are both from Mount Pleasant, were thrust into the spotlight following their night out with cage-fighting friends from Team Predator gym in Fforestfach.
The pals all cross-dressed for the evening to enter into the August bank holiday party atmosphere.
And when drunken yobs Jason Fender and Dean Gardner targeted them as they walked by, retribution was swift — and painful.
The original CCTV footage below
The incident, which was over in seconds, was captured by CCTV, and the images were exclusively published earlier this week by the Evening Post.
Gardner, aged 19, and Fender, aged 22, both from Llanerch Road, Bonymaen, pleaded guilty at Swansea Magistrates' Court to using abusive and threatening behaviour, and were ordered to wear tags and remain under a nighttime curfew for four months.
Related articles:
Off to the USA for cross-dressing cage fighters
'Drag Queens' tell of felling thugs in Swansea city centre punch-up
54 Comments
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by andy, swansea
Monday, October 12 2009, 9:37AM
“Albert from mumbles, you must be getting on 100 yr old by now”
by Rob, Swansea
Sunday, October 11 2009, 9:56PM
“What it comes down to is, those idiots from Bonymaen just picked on the wrong group of lads.
Possibly if it had been someone else, just Mr ordinary Joe public, they would have ended up in the casualty dept, they will certainly think twice before going for a re-match.”
by Albert, The Mumbles
Sunday, October 11 2009, 4:08PM
“Yet again the public of Swansea idolises a pair for the wrong reasons. What self respecting man goes out dressed as a woman, how ridiculous. Its no wonder the boys from Bonymaen were offended.”
by carrie, Sketty
Sunday, October 11 2009, 11:16AM
“THIS IS FOR ALL THE MOANING PEOPLE HAVING A GO at the boys CLAIMING they're makin money and taking the mick out of the Gay community!
1. Not all gay people cross-dress and that wouldnt make them gay it would make them nothing. . stop steriotyping!!
People dress up all the time, If i were to dress up like a man, would that make me a mockary of gay people. .nope its not mockin ANYTHING!
2. This is a classic case of ACCIDENTAL publicity. It got onto the web and obviously the paper will report it! All big fights in swansea do!! but this was just an unusual case! Two men who appear to be harmless turned out to be very strong fighters. .it's ironic!
Word of mouth spread it!
Its not hard!
They're not TRYIN to make money! Papers and the web have made it popular and want interviews and things!
STOP BEING JEALOUS!
(Made up example) . . if Paris Hilton were to pick her nose and someone took a picture! Everyone would find it funny. . . Same in this instence!
BUT THE WORST thing ive heard on here was by MARY!!
What right do you have to say that this so called ''MONEY'' these boys make should be given to the family from the fire!! How do you know that they have'nt helped already or going to help!
Even if they didn't it's Fu*k all to do with you love!!”
by Carrie, Sketty
Sunday, October 11 2009, 10:57AM
“Well I think the boys got what they deserved, as you can see they had been fighting before they eve approched james and daniel. They obviously are trouble makers and picked on the wrong boys.
There's nothin wrong with lads dressing up for a night out and dean and jason thought it would be funny to pass a comment to them. It happens all to often on a Fri/Sat night. You'll get the gobby ones.
They take it to far and so one of them gives him a smack. Id do it too! People who start fights need to be taught a lesson!!
Well done!
I dont encourage fighting but they needed a bloody wake-up call in this case!”
by jo, neath
Sunday, October 11 2009, 9:06AM
“ha ha ha they had that coming i have not laughed like this in ages...shame there are not a few of theese good guys on the streets to give the idiots a good smack....nice one!!!”
by BILLY LERWELL, SWANSEA
Sunday, October 11 2009, 1:21AM
“mY LAST POST HAS NOT COME UP GRRRRRR I said i will get the ball rolling by making a £300 donation ,
chollote thanks for sticking up for me , the sooner this blows over the better”
by billy lerwell, swansea
Sunday, October 11 2009, 1:16AM
“I hope the evening post will match my offer and all you good people out there if you can donate anything it will be
Wonderfull Kev and his family have a life time to live with this,
you all look forward to a good christmas , they are NOT
GOD BLESS THEM”
by Charlotte, Swansea
Sunday, October 11 2009, 12:27AM
“Mary i think you owe Billy an apology now!
Billy may i say thank you so much for everything you have done for Kev and his family. Me and my fiancee are very close friends and cannot thank you enough for what you are doing.
Very Noble of you!”
by billy, swansea
Saturday, October 10 2009, 11:30PM
“HI
Mary
Im daniels dad i see you point of how minor this is to the fire , but we have helped out with the family ,i own the fairfeild club and we arranged the wake for them and are putting on a charity show on the 19 november we have arranged 10 acts for the night so if you or anyone else would like to donate anything for the raffle we would be most gratefull And i trust you will; be there in support on the night as you seem so intrested in the matter
billy lerwell
Fairfeild 01792411143
donations most welcome for the family mary”