A teenager has been convicted of murder after fatally stabbing a father-of-seven during a violent street altercation in Cardiff, with the court also hearing of his previous violent conduct while on remand in prison.
Corey Gauci, 19, of Wilson Road, Ely, was found guilty at Cardiff Crown Court of the murder of 48-year-old Colin Richards, who was stabbed in the upper thigh during a confrontation in the Ely area of the city on the night of 7 April 2023. The knife wound severed Mr Richards’ femoral artery and vein, causing him to bleed to death within minutes.
The fatal incident stemmed from an ongoing feud involving two groups linked to a personal dispute between former couple Noreen O’Driscoll and Christian Morgan. The jury heard how the tensions had escalated, drawing individuals to the Heol y Berllan area—some of whom were armed and wearing balaclavas.
Gauci, who was 18 at the time, delivered the fatal blow during a chaotic confrontation which also involved Morgan and Mr Richards. Prosecutor David Elias KC told the court that Mr Richards had arrived at the scene in his Audi carrying a hammer, after being contacted by Morgan. Both men were seen hiding in a cut-through before emerging and moving towards a Nissan Qashqai parked nearby. Prosecutors said that vehicle was then damaged, with broken glass later recovered from the scene.
Two individuals believed to be Gauci and James O’Driscoll were seen on CCTV entering the cut-through just before Mr Richards was stabbed. Despite emergency efforts, Mr Richards succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
Following a trial, Gauci was unanimously convicted of murder and violent disorder. He is due to be sentenced at a later date, with a mandatory life sentence expected.
The court also heard of Gauci’s violent history, including a separate incident that took place while he was being held on remand at HMP Parc in Bridgend. On 7 June 2023, he attacked a fellow inmate and a music teacher using a makeshift weapon fashioned from a screw. CCTV footage played during a separate sentencing hearing showed Gauci producing the improvised blade from his pocket before striking a 17-year-old inmate in the face.
Adam Kemble, a teacher supervising the session in a prison portacabin, initially thought the altercation was playful until he saw blood. He attempted to intervene and was stabbed in the abdomen by Gauci, although he did not realise he had been injured until after the incident, later discovering a puncture wound.
Gauci later admitted two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and possessing an unauthorised blade in prison. In a recorded call to his girlfriend, he reportedly admitted to the attack, stating: “I stabbed someone and shanked a teacher.”
He also has previous convictions for possessing cannabis and carrying a bladed article.
Several other individuals have been convicted in connection with Mr Richards’ death:
- Soraya Somersall, 44, of Loudon Square, Butetown, was found guilty of assisting an offender.
- James O’Driscoll, 27, of no fixed abode, was convicted of violent disorder and possession of a bladed article.
- Christian Morgan, 36, of Heol y Berllan, Ely, was found guilty of possessing a knife. The jury is still deliberating on a charge of violent disorder against him.
- Noreen O’Driscoll, 29, of Parker Road, Ely, was convicted of assisting an offender.
- Rebecca Ross, 44, of Newark Road, Lincoln, was found guilty of assisting an offender and possessing a bladed article.
Defence barrister Cora Sorensen told the court that Gauci had shown a “marked change in attitude” since the prison incident and had cooperated with authorities. However, the judge is expected to hand down a life sentence for the murder of Mr Richards in due course.
The case has drawn renewed attention to the prevalence of knife crime and violence in Welsh communities, prompting calls for further intervention and support at both local and national levels.
