Additional Sentences Issued in Cardiff Ely Riots
Ten additional individuals have been sentenced for their involvement in a riot that erupted in Cardiff after the deaths of two teenagers.
Kyrees Sullivan, aged 16, and Harvey Evans, aged 15, died in May 2023 following a crash involving their e-bike in Ely. Their deaths triggered hours of violence and vandalism, attracting approximately 150 participants.
On Thursday, emotional reactions including tears and gasps were observed in court as the second group of defendants appeared before the judge. Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke instructed the public to listen "in silence" and advised those unable to control themselves to "step outside now."
Disruptions from the public gallery on Wednesday had previously led the judge at Cardiff Crown Court to clear the gallery when ten other individuals were sentenced.
Sentencing of Second Group for Rioting
The second group of ten defendants, appearing on Thursday morning, each received sentences for rioting.
There were audible gasps from the public gallery when Zayne Farrugia, 26, from Caerau, was sentenced to six years in prison.
Farrugia was among the first to enter a garden to collect stones and threw six missiles at police officers after joining the line confronting law enforcement.
Jordan Webster, 30, from Ely, received a sentence of five years and seven months. He was observed throwing stones at police and pushing a shopping trolley into the road, which others had filled with debris to throw at officers.
When a black Audi was moved into the road to block police vehicles, the court heard Webster say:
"Run them all over."
Supportive shouts of "love you, Jamie" were heard from the public gallery as Jamie Bateman, 27, from Caerau, was sentenced to five years and nine months.
The judge reminded the public gallery again to maintain silence and instructed attendees not to "shout across the court."
During the disorder, Bateman threw missiles and directed others towards a garden where he took a large paving slab, broke it into pieces, and these fragments were thrown by others.
Liam Williams, 21, from Rumney, was sentenced to four years and three months. He arrived at the riot with aerosol cans and cans of fuel, which he distributed to rioters. These cans were used to accelerate a fire in a burning car.
Upon arrest, Williams claimed that masked men had taken the items from his vehicle against his will.
Jamie Jones, 25, from Llanrumney, arrived late at the scene but was among several individuals who entered a garden to gather items to throw at police. Jones received a sentence of five years and two months.
He threw three missiles in quick succession before collecting a food waste bin and throwing it at police officers.
Jayden Westcott, 21, from Ely, was also sentenced to five years and two months. Upon arrest, he stated:
"A fed [police officer] is dying tonight."
Westcott threw missiles at police, recorded officers on video, and was verbally abusive. He also encouraged the crowd to join him as he pushed a shopping trolley filled with rubble toward police.
James Chappell, 31, from Barry, was sentenced to four years and four months. At the scene, he was heard saying:
"I hope cops get hurt this time."
He threw several missiles rapidly toward police for approximately ten minutes during the disorder.
Lianna Tucker, 20, from Ely, broke down in tears in court but avoided a custodial sentence. She was embraced by a tearful member of the public gallery as she exited the dock after receiving a 24-month community order with a requirement to complete 25 days of rehabilitation activities.
Tucker, who was 17 at the time of the offence, was at the front of the crowd throwing missiles, including broken plasterboard, at police officers. She remained at the scene until midnight but stated during her arrest that she had been told "police had killed the boys" and attributed her actions to anger over the teenagers' deaths.
Community Orders for Some Defendants
Jasmine Smith, 21, from Heath, was tearful in the dock and held her hands in a praying gesture as the judge passed sentence. She received a 24-month community order and must complete 20 days of rehabilitation after throwing two missiles at police.
Smith, who was 17 at the time of the riot, confronted a police officer saying:
"you want to kill another kid tonight?"
The court heard she is the sole carer of a young baby. She mouthed "thank you" to the judge as she left the dock.
Jumana Fouad, 19, from Ely, was given a 24-month community order and must complete 15 days of rehabilitation. Fouad, who was 16 at the time of the offence, threw several rocks, one of which struck a police officer's shield.
She was also seen adding liquid to an already-burning mattress and was observed celebrating when an injured officer required assistance.
Evidence Presented in Court
During Wednesday's sentencing hearing, footage previously shown to the jury during two trials was replayed in court. The footage provided a clear timeline of how tensions escalated and included initial bodycam recordings showing many individuals appearing upset and bewildered immediately after the boys crashed.
However, rumours began circulating that police had been pursuing the boys before the crash. By 19:55, a masked individual threw a bottle at officers.
By 20:30, police adopted a "show of strength" stance, raising batons above their heads and driving people up the road, marking a significant turning point.
People fell, some were struck by police batons, and officers were subjected to verbal abuse including insults such as
"I hope your kids die", the court was informed.
The subsequent hours involved some of the most severe rioting Cardiff has experienced in decades, with various objects used to attack officers, including a burning mattress, a toilet, tiles, paint tins, bricks, and bottles.
Ten teenagers had previously been sentenced for their roles in the unrest, all receiving referral orders, a form of community sentence.
A total of ten defendants were also sentenced on Wednesday.
The sentencing process continues, with a total of 30 individuals scheduled to be sentenced over the coming days.
