Rioters jailed over disorder sparked by deaths of two teenagers

Thirty people have been sentenced after the deaths of two teenagers in an e-bike crash sparked riots in Cardiff.

Kyrees Sullivan, 16, and Harvey Evans, 15, died after the crash in the Ely area of the city on 22 May 2023.

Disorder then erupted following rumours that police had been pursuing the pair before the fatal incident.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) later found no indication of contact between a police vehicle and the e-bike immediately before the collision.

Cardiff Crown Court heard that crowds gathered near the scene following the deaths, and people became openly aggressive towards police as officers tried to expand the cordon.

In her sentencing remarks, the Recorder of Cardiff, Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke, said: "Very soon rumours began to spread about the cause of the crash, including rumours on social media, and the police were blamed."

She added: "The police officers at the scene were abused and threatened with violence.

"As the police were moving the crowd further back, some people in the crowd began throwing missiles at the police - bottles, bricks, stones, bits of plasterboard, and other items were thrown at the officers.

"The missile throwing continued for hours."

The court heard people filmed and live-streamed the escalating violence on social media, with cars being set alight and petrol bombs thrown.

During the riot, 31 officers and one member of the public were hurt, with injuries ranging from bruising to sprained limbs and concussions, and there was "substantial damage" to the community.

The riot continued until the crowd began to disperse at around midnight.

This week, Judge Lloyd-Clarke passed sentences for 30 defendants on 17, 18 and 19 June. They were:

Ashdon O'Dare, 28, of Ely, Cardiff - six years and six months imprisonment.

Lee Robinson, 39, of Caerau, Cardiff - six years and six months imprisonment.

Luke Williams, 32, of Caerau, Cardiff - six years imprisonment.

Michaela Gonzales, 37, of Ely, Cardiff - five years and two months imprisonment.

Jordan Bratcher, 27, of Llanishen, Cardiff - five years and six months imprisonment.

Tyler Stapleton, 26, of Ely, Cardiff - four years and four months imprisonment.

Zayne Farrugia, 26, of Caerau, Cardiff - six years imprisonment.

Jordan Webster, 30, of Ely, Cardiff - five years and seven months imprisonment.

Jaydon Westcott, 21, of Ely, Cardiff - five years and two months imprisonment.

Jumana Fouad, 19, of Ely, Cardiff - 24-month community order and 15 days of rehabilitation activity.

Lianna Tucker, 20, of Ely, Cardiff - 24-month community order and 25 days of rehabilitation activity.

Connor O'Sullivan, 27, of Caerau, Cardiff - five years imprisonment.

Callum O'Sullivan, 25, of Ely, Cardiff - three years and nine months imprisonment.

Lee-Martin McQuade, 30, of Ely, Cardiff - six years and four months imprisonment.

Gemma Virgin, 45, of Ely, Cardiff - three years and eight months imprisonment.

Malaki McQuade, 19, of Ely, Cardiff - six years in a Young Offenders' Institution.

Liam Black, 21, of Ely, Cardiff - six years and nine months in a Young Offenders' Institution.

Harvey James, 20, of Fairwater, Cardiff - 24-month rehabilitation order.

McKenzie Pring, 21, of Caerau, Cardiff - four years in a Young Offenders' Institution.

Jayden Baston, 21, of Caerau, Cardiff - four years and six months in a Young Offenders' Institution.

Kieron Beccano, 27, of Ely, Cardiff - five years and six months imprisonment.

James Chappell, 31, of Barry - four years and four months imprisonment.

Jasmine Smith, 21, of Heath, Cardiff - 24-month community order.

Liam Williams, 21, of Rumney, Cardiff - four years and three months imprisonment.

Jamie Stephen Bateman, 28, of Caerau, Cardiff - five years and nine months imprisonment.

Jamie Jones, 25, Llanrumney, Cardiff - five years and two months imprisonment.

Cameron Francis Carter, 20, of Ely, Cardiff - five years and three months imprisonment.

Ryan Knight, 21, of Splott, Cardiff - five years and four months imprisonment.

Kyle Telemaque, 20, of Ely, Cardiff - five years in a Young Offenders' Institution.

Matthew Evans, 22, of Ely, Cardiff - six years and four months imprisonment.

Ten youths have previously been sentenced for rioting, and five adults have been sentenced for other offences related to the riot.

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The IOPC also said that while CCTV showed a police van earlier driving behind the teenagers, it was about half a mile from the bike, on a different road, when the fatal crash happened.

However, the investigation concluded the officer who was driving the van has a gross misconduct case to answer over the accuracy of accounts he provided to colleagues.

IOPC investigators also concluded the officer has a case to answer in relation to his driving, and language he used regarding the boys at the crash scene. The IOPC said arrangements are being made for the misconduct hearing.

(c) Sky News 2026: Rioters jailed over disorder sparked by deaths of two teenagers