Sentencing for Cardiff Ely Riots
A judge has imposed nearly 140 years of combined custodial sentences on rioters involved in a night of vandalism and violence in Cardiff three years ago.
The disturbances in May 2023 followed the deaths of Kyrees Sullivan, 16, and Harvey Evans, 15, who died after their e-bike crashed in the Ely suburb.
Approximately 150 individuals gathered in the area after the incident, with some blaming police officers—whose van had been observed following the teenagers earlier that evening—for the deaths.
Cardiff Crown Court was informed on Friday that among the 30 defendants sentenced, one had assisted in preparing petrol bombs that were subsequently thrown at police officers, resulting in a female officer being set on fire.
Out of the 30 individuals sentenced for rioting, 26 received custodial sentences ranging from three years and eight months to six years and nine months. Four defendants who were under 18 at the time were given community orders.
The sentencing proceedings experienced tension and outbursts from the public gallery, prompting the judge to clear the area.
At the conclusion of sentencing, Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke commended the bravery of the hundreds of police officers present during the riots.
"They risked their safety in a very dangerous and very volatile situation - I commend them for their dedication to duty," she said.
On Friday, several individuals in the public gallery wore turquoise t-shirts displaying the faces of Sullivan and Evans, with the inscription "three years of missing you both."
Lee-Martin McQuade, 30, from Ely, was sentenced to six years and four months in prison. The court heard he was involved in preparing petrol bombs, one of which was thrown at officers and ignited a police officer.
McQuade shouted abuse at police, accused them of killing the two teenagers, referred to officers as "rapists," and urged others to "hit Ely police station" with petrol bombs.
There were audible reactions in court when the judge mentioned that McQuade faced a maximum sentence of eight years, which was reduced due to his early guilty plea.
Liam Black, 21, from Ely, received a six years and nine months detention sentence in a young offenders' institution. The court heard he threw fireworks at police, burned a plank of wood, and encouraged others to attack officers.
Connor O'Sullivan, 27, also from Ely, was sentenced to five years in prison for throwing missiles including bricks at police. He participated in throwing a door at officers and was recorded on a live stream encouraging further attacks while chanting "Ely gang, Ely gang."
All three were ordered to serve up to half their sentences before release.
Callum O'Sullivan, 25, from Ely, received a sentence of three years and nine months for repeatedly throwing missiles at police during the riots; a video of the disorder was found on his phone.
Gemma Virgin, 45, also from Ely, was sentenced to three years and eight months after throwing several missiles, approaching an officer with a large piece of wood, and being verbally abusive. She later expressed remorse, stating she had "jumped on the bandwagon."
Malaki McQuade, 19, from Ely, was sentenced to six years in a young offenders' institution for throwing missiles and participating in pushing a car onto its roof. He also received concurrent sentences for unlawful wounding and two drug offenses. The judge noted an uplift in his overall sentence due to these charges and the fact he was under a referral order at the time.
All three were told they would serve up to 40% of their sentences before release.
Matthew Evans, 22, from Ely, was sentenced to six years and four months after involvement in throwing missiles at police, setting a bed base on fire, smashing a car window, and using an aerosol as a flamethrower to ignite a car.
Cameron Carter, 20, from Ely, was sentenced to five years and three months in a young offenders' institution for throwing missiles and objects including a door, monitor, baby chair, and metal drain cover at officers. He was also part of a group that overturned a car.
Although 17 at the time, Judge Lloyd-Clarke described Carter as playing a "leading role in what was undoubtedly a very serious riot," deeming a custodial sentence appropriate.
The judge made a similar ruling for Kyle Telemaque, 20, from Ely, who was also 17 during the riot. Telemaque received five years in youth detention for his leading role, throwing missiles, setting fire to a bed base, and tipping a car.
Ryan Knight, 21, from Splott, was sentenced to five years and four months in prison. The court heard he played a leading role, throwing burning missiles and other objects such as a food waste caddie and a large rock at police.
These individuals were informed they would serve half their sentences in custody before release.
Throughout the hearings, police officers maintained a visible presence inside and outside the courtroom.
On Wednesday, disruptions from the public gallery led to the judge clearing the court during the sentencing of ten other individuals.
Nathan Fear, deputy chief crown prosecutor for CPS Wales, stated this was the largest investigation of its kind in Wales. Defendants were identified through body-worn camera footage, social media, and drone footage from the night of the riots.
"These sentences reflect the seriousness of this offending and send a clear message that this type of violence will not be tolerated," he said.
A full inquest into the deaths of Sullivan and Evans has not yet taken place. The most recent preliminary hearing at the coroner's court in Pontypridd indicated it is unlikely to commence this year.
The CPS decision not to charge the police officer driving the van behind the teenagers immediately before their deaths is under review through the Victims Right to Review scheme.
The South Wales Police officer is awaiting a gross misconduct hearing after the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) determined last summer that there was a case to answer regarding the accuracy of his accounts given to colleagues after the collision.
The officer also faces disciplinary proceedings for misconduct related to his driving and language used concerning the boys at the collision scene.
