Five Individuals Sentenced for Role in Cardiff's Ely Disorder
The first set of defendants implicated in the violent unrest that occurred in Ely, Cardiff, three years ago have been sentenced. The courtroom proceedings were marked by disruptive behavior from the public gallery as five individuals received their punishments for their involvement in the widespread violence.
The disorder erupted on May 22, 2023, following a fatal e-bike crash that claimed the lives of 16-year-old Kyrees Sullivan and 15-year-old Harvey Evans. This incident sparked hours of significant violence and vandalism, with approximately 150 people participating in the riots.
Sentences Handed Down
On Wednesday, Ashdon O'Dare, Lee Robinson, Michaela Gonzales, Jordan Bratcher, and Tyler Stapleton were sentenced. Their terms include serving a portion in custody, with the remainder to be completed within the community.
- Ashdon O'Dare, 28, from Ely, received a sentence of six years and six months. He was identified as an "instigator" who incited the crowd during the early stages of the riots.
- Lee Robinson, 40, from Caerau, was also sentenced to six years and six months for his aggressive behavior and repeated verbal abuse directed at police officers.
- Michaela Gonzales, 37, from Ely, was given five years and two months. The court heard she was "vocal and confrontational" and threw a bottle at police.
- Jordan Bratcher, 27, from Ely, received five years and six months for being part of the initial group that threw projectiles at police.
- Tyler Stapleton, 26, from Ely, was sentenced to four years and four months for his aggressive actions towards police and throwing stones.
Courtroom Disruptions
Following the delivery of the first sentence, members of the public gallery began shouting and disrupting the court proceedings. When O'Dare was sentenced, individuals in the gallery shouted support, including "love you Ash," and gave thumbs up gestures. Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke's request for quiet was met with further defiance, including an offensive gesture and verbal abuse directed at her. The judge subsequently requested the detention of two men on suspicion of contempt of court.
Escalation of Violence
During the sentencing, footage previously shown to the jury was replayed, illustrating the escalation of tensions. Initial bodycam footage depicted upset and bewildered individuals immediately after the crash. However, rumors quickly spread suggesting police pursuit of the boys before the accident. This led to a masked man throwing a bottle at officers by 19:55. By 20:30, a "show of strength" tactic was adopted by officers, involving raised batons and driving people up the road, which marked a significant turning point. This resulted in physical confrontations, with some individuals being hit by batons and officers enduring severe verbal abuse, including death threats against their children.
The subsequent hours saw some of the most intense rioting Cardiff had experienced in decades. Rioters used various objects as projectiles, including a burning mattress, a toilet, tiles, paint tins, bricks, and bottles. A particularly dramatic piece of bodycam footage showed PC Zoe Lea being hit and set alight by a petrol bomb. She described being "petrified" by the heat, fearing vulnerability if she tried to extinguish the flames. PC Ben Davies, one of the first officers at the scene, testified that he "genuinely believed we would be overwhelmed and killed" that night.
The cost of policing the riots exceeded £1 million for South Wales Police, and the cleanup efforts cost Cardiff council £28,515.
Previously, ten teenagers received referral orders, a form of community sentence, for their roles in the unrest. The sentencing process is ongoing, with a total of 30 individuals expected to be sentenced over the coming days.
Source: Abuse hurled at judge as first group of rioters sentenced for Ely disorder