A group of nine individuals has been sentenced for their involvement in the widespread disorder and violence that engulfed the Ely area of Cardiff in May 2023. The unrest, which saw approximately 150 people engage in rioting, looting, and confrontations with police, followed the tragic deaths of teenagers Kyrees Sullivan, 16, and Harvey Evans, 15, in an e-bike crash.
During Wednesday's sentencing at Cardiff Crown Court, tensions ran high, culminating in angry outbursts and abuse directed at Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke from members of the public gallery. After the initial sentences were delivered, shouts of support for defendants and aggressive remarks towards the judiciary led to calls for the gallery to be cleared. One individual was heard shouting "shut up, you slut" at the judge, while another allegedly made an offensive gesture, prompting their detention on suspicion of contempt of court.
Ashdon O'Dare, 28, from Ely, and Lee Robinson, 40, from Caerau, received the longest sentences of six years and six months each. O'Dare was identified as an "instigator" who actively "whipped up" the crowd in the early stages of the riots, while Robinson was noted for his aggressive behaviour and repeated abuse towards police officers. Michaela Gonzales, 37, from Ely, was sentenced to five years and two months for being "vocal and confrontational" and throwing a bottle at police.
Other significant sentences included Jordan Bratcher, 27, and Keiron Beccano, 38, both from Ely, who each received five years and six months for throwing missiles and collecting rubble to hurl at officers. Luke Williams, 32, from Caerau, was handed a six-year prison term for live-streaming the violence for over an hour and a half, cheering when officers were injured and actively encouraging further participation. Tyler Stapleton, 26, from Ely, Mckenzie Pring, 21, from Caerau, and Jaydan Baston, 21, also from Caerau, received sentences ranging from four years and four months to four years and six months, largely for aggressive conduct and throwing objects at police.
Harvey James, 20, from Fairwater, who was 17 at the time of the disorder, avoided a custodial sentence. He was given a 24-month community order and 20 days rehabilitation for confronting police and throwing a rock. His sentence, in line with others dealt with in the youth court, was met with applause from the public gallery, further contributing to the chaotic atmosphere in court. The judge emphasised, "This is not entertainment, this is a sentencing exercise. Leave the court," as she ordered the gallery to be cleared.
The court heard how the initial shock and bewilderment following the teenagers' crash quickly escalated into widespread violence, fuelled by rumours that police had been chasing the boys. Footage played during the trials depicted the rapid increase in tensions, with a masked man throwing a bottle at officers by 7:55 PM, and a "show of strength" police response with raised batons being enacted by 8:30 PM.
Source: BBC News