Ten more defendants dealt with after disorder following deaths of two teenagers
EMOTIONAL scenes broke out at Cardiff Crown Court as another ten defendants were sentenced over the Ely riot which followed the deaths of teenagers Kyrees Sullivan and Harvey Evans.
The boys, aged 16 and 15, died in May 2023 when an e-bike crashed in the Ely area of Cardiff. Their deaths led to a night of serious disorder, with police attacked, vehicles set alight and missiles thrown in the street.
On Thursday (June 18), Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke had to warn the public gallery after gasps, tears and shouted comments during the hearing.
Seven men were jailed for their roles in the violence.
Zayne Farrugia, 26, from Caerau, received the longest sentence of the day at six years. The court heard he joined the front line of the confrontation and threw a number of missiles at police.
Jordan Webster, 30, from Ely, was jailed for five years and seven months. He threw stones and helped move debris into the road as officers tried to bring the disorder under control.
Jamie Bateman, 27, from Caerau, was sentenced to five years and nine months after the court heard he threw missiles and encouraged others to use broken paving slabs during the riot.
Liam Williams, 21, from Rumney, was jailed for four years and three months after bringing fuel and aerosol cans to the scene, which were later used by others to feed a fire.
Jamie Jones, 25, from Llanrumney, was sentenced to five years and two months, while Jayden Westcott, 21, from Ely, received the same term. James Chappell, 31, from Barry, was jailed for four years and four months.
Three women, who were all teenagers at the time of the riot, avoided immediate prison sentences.
Lianna Tucker, 20, from Ely, Jasmine Smith, 21, from Heath, and Jumana Fouad, 19, from Ely, were each handed 24-month community orders with rehabilitation requirements.
The court was told that rumours about the crash had spread quickly on the night, fuelling anger in the crowd. What began as a gathering of upset residents developed into hours of violence, with officers pelted with objects including bricks, bottles, tiles and other debris.
Ten defendants were sentenced on Wednesday, and the hearings are continuing, with 30 people due to be sentenced in total.
