Sentencing of Ely Rioters Sparks Courtroom Disturbance
Emotions ran high in court as the initial group of individuals involved in the 2023 Cardiff riots were sentenced. The unrest followed the tragic deaths of Kyrees Sullivan, 16, and Harvey Evans, 15, who died on May 22, 2023, after their e-bike crashed in the Ely area of Cardiff. The incident triggered several hours of violence and vandalism, with approximately 150 people participating in the riot.
On Wednesday, five defendants—Ashdon O'Dare, Lee Robinson, Michaela Gonzales, Jordan Bratcher, and Tyler Stapleton—received sentences requiring them to serve up to 40% of their terms in custody, with the remainder served in the community.
Following the delivery of the first sentence, members of the public gallery began shouting, causing a disruption in the courtroom.
Warning: This story contains offensive language
Details of Sentences and Courtroom Behavior
Ashdon O'Dare, 28, from Ely, was sentenced to six years and six months. He was described by the court as an "instigator" who "whipped up" the crowd during the early stages of the riots.
Lee Robinson, 40, from Caerau, received a sentence of six years and six months. He was noted for his aggressive behavior and for repeatedly shouting abuse at police officers on the night of the disorder.
Michaela Gonzales, 37, from Ely, was sentenced to five years and two months. The court heard she was "vocal and confrontational" and threw a bottle at police early in the riot.
Jordan Bratcher, 27, from Ely, was sentenced to five years and six months for being part of the initial group throwing missiles at police.
Tyler Stapleton, 26, also from Ely, received a sentence of four years and four months. He was identified as one of those aggressive towards police and who threw stones.
After O'Dare was sentenced and returned to the dock, individuals in the public gallery shouted "love you Ash" and displayed thumbs up in support. When Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke requested silence, one man appeared to make an offensive two-fingered gesture towards her, and another shouted
"shut up you slut"at the judge.
Judge Lloyd-Clarke ordered the detention of the two men on suspicion of contempt of court.
Evidence Presented During Sentencing
During the sentencing hearing, footage previously shown to the jury during two trials was replayed in court. The video provided a clear timeline illustrating how tensions escalated and included initial bodycam footage capturing many individuals appearing upset and bewildered immediately after the crash involving the two boys.
Rumors had begun circulating that police were pursuing the boys before the crash. By 19:55, a masked individual threw a bottle at officers. At 20:30, police adopted a "show of strength" tactic, raising batons above their heads and driving the crowd up the road, marking a significant turning point.
During this period, some people fell, and some were struck by police batons. The court heard that police officers were subjected to verbal abuse, including insults such as
"I hope your kids die".
The following hours witnessed some of the most severe rioting Cardiff had experienced in decades. Rioters threw various objects at officers, including a burning mattress, a toilet, tiles, paint tins, bricks, and bottles.
One of the most dramatic pieces of bodycam footage, which has not been publicly released, showed a petrol bomb striking and setting PC Zoe Lea on fire. The court heard she was "petrified" as she felt the heat of her burning overalls.
"I knew if I tried to tackle it, I would be vulnerable,"she said.
PC Ben Davies, one of the first officers deployed to the scene, told the court he "genuinely believed we would be overwhelmed and killed" that night.
Costs and Ongoing Sentencing
The court was informed that the operation to police the riots cost South Wales Police in excess of £1 million, while the cleanup cost Cardiff council £28,515.
Sentencing is ongoing, with a total of 30 individuals scheduled to be sentenced over the coming days.
