Ely Riots Trial: Officer 'Covered in Flames' as Evidence Presented in Court
The trial concerning the Ely riots, which took place in Cardiff on May 22, 2023, has continued at Newport Crown Court. Eight defendants are accused of participating in the riots that followed the deaths of Kyrees Sullivan, 16, and Harvey Evans, 15. The court has heard harrowing details, including claims that a police officer was engulfed in flames after a petrol bomb was thrown.
The Spark: Tragedy and Rumors
The riots erupted in the Ely suburb of Cardiff following the deaths of Kyrees Sullivan and Harvey Evans, who died in a collision while riding an electric bike. Rumors quickly spread that a police van had been pursuing the teenagers, fueling anger and distress in the community. While CCTV footage showed a police van in the vicinity, an investigation concluded it was half a mile away from the crash site at the time of the collision.
The Accused and the Charges
The eight defendants, who have all pleaded not guilty to rioting, are: Lee Robinson, 38, of Heol Deva, Caerau; Luke Williams, 31, of Deere Place, Ely; Jaydan Baston, 21, of Heol Poyston, Caerau; Michaela Gonzales, 37, of Plymouth Wood Close, Ely; McKenzie Danks, 22, of Heol Trelai, Caerau; Jordan Bratcher, 27, of Glyndwr Road, Ely; Zayne Farrugia, 25, of Heol Ebwy, Caerau; and Connor O'Sullivan, 26, of Caerau Court Road, Caerau.
"Carnage for Several Hours"
Prosecutor Matthew Cobbe described the scene as "carnage for several hours," stating that police officers were met with "grief, distress and anger" as they attempted to secure the scene of the collision. He detailed how "bottles, bricks, plasterboard and more were hurled at police officers," and that a fire was set, fireworks were thrown, and cars were trashed and set alight. Most disturbingly, he stated that a petrol bomb was thrown at a police officer, covering her in flames. The court also heard that several police officers were injured, and residents suffered damage to their homes, vehicles, and gardens.
Individual Allegations Against the Defendants
Jurors were given a breakdown of the alleged role played by each defendant:
- Lee Robinson: Accused of being an "aggressive focal point" and fixating on a police dog handler, making threats.
- McKenzie Danks: Accused of throwing his shoes at a police officer and attempting to spit at the same officer.
- Michaela Gonzales: Accused of throwing a glass bottle towards police from behind a car.
- Zayne Farrugia: Accused of taking stones from a garden and throwing them at police officers.
- Jordan Bratcher: Accused of collecting gravel to throw at police.
- Jaydan Baston: Accused of throwing a missile at police, admitting to throwing a tyre but denying hitting anyone.
- Connor O'Sullivan: Accused of throwing a missile at police and being part of a group that threw a door at police.
- Luke Williams: Accused of live-streaming the riot and encouraging others to join in.
Community Impact and the Trial Ahead
The prosecution emphasized that the "whole community didn't support or condone this extraordinary violence," noting acts of kindness from residents who were "bewildered and frightened." Body-worn camera footage, drone footage, and videos uploaded by the public are being used as evidence to demonstrate the different roles each defendant allegedly played in the riot. The trial is expected to last six weeks.
