SIX SENTENCED OVER CARDIFF RIOT FOLLOWING TEENAGERS' DEATHS

Six people have been sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court for their involvement in a riot that erupted in Ely following the deaths of two teenagers in May 2023. Kyrees Sullivan, aged 16, and Harvey Evans, aged 15, died after their e-bike crashed, an incident that sparked hours of violence and vandalism involving approximately 150 people. All six defendants were sentenced for rioting, with emotional reactions occurring in the public gallery during Thursday's hearing. Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke instructed members of the public to remain silent and leave the courtroom if they could not maintain control.

Zayne Farrugia, 26, from Caerau, received a six-year sentence after throwing six missiles at police officers and entering a garden to collect stones. Jordan Webster, 30, from Ely, was sentenced to five years and seven months for throwing stones at police and pushing a shopping trolley filled with debris into the road; the court heard him say "Run them all over" when a Black Audi was moved to block police. Jamie Jones, 25, from Llanrumney, received five years and two months after throwing three missiles and hurling a food waste bin at officers. Jayden Westcott, 21, from Ely, was also sentenced to five years and two months after throwing missiles, filming officers and urging the crowd to assist him in pushing the trolley towards police.

Lianna Tucker, 20, from Ely, avoided a custodial sentence but broke down in tears during the hearing. The sentencing on Thursday represented the second round of defendants to appear in court for the riot, following a previous hearing on Wednesday when nine others were sentenced and disruption from the public gallery led to the courtroom being cleared.