(Image: South Wales Police)
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South Wales Police’s criminal investigation into the serious disorder that swept through the Ely area of Cardiff has reached its conclusion, with 30 people sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court for riot.
The 25 men and five women were sentenced during a two-week hearing. Twenty-six received custodial terms, with sentences ranging from three years and eight months to six years and nine months. Four defendants received non-custodial orders.
The disorder
Violence erupted on the evening of Monday, May 22, 2023, in Ely. Vehicles were set ablaze, property was damaged, police officers were injured, and residents were left frightened in their own homes.
Earlier that evening, two teenagers – Kyrees Sullivan and Harvey Evans – had lost their lives in a road traffic collision. South Wales Police said its thoughts continue to be with their families and friends.
A total of 51 people were arrested following the unrest, with the majority charged with the serious offence of riot.
Those sentenced
The 30 defendants sentenced for riot, listed by severity of sentence:
- Liam Black, 21, from Ely – six years and nine months’ detention in a young offender institution
- Ashdon O’Dare, 28, from Ely – six years and six months
- Lee Robinson, 39, from Caerau – six years and six months
- Lee-Martin McQuade, 30, from Ely – six years and four months
- Matthew Evans, 22, from Ely – six years and four months
- Luke Williams, 32, from Ely – six years
- Zayne Farrugia, 26, from Caerau – six years
- Malaki McQuade, 19, from Ely – six years in a young offender institution
- Jamie Bateman, 28, from Caerau – five years and nine months
- Jordan Webster, 30, from Ely – five years and seven months
- Jordan Bratcher, 27, from Ely – five years and six months
- Kieron Beccano, 38, from Ely – five years and six months
- Ryan Knight, 21, from Splott – five years and four months
- Cameron Carter, 20, from Ely – five years and three months
- Michalea Gonzales, 37, from Ely – five years and two months
- Jamie Jones, 25, from Llanrumney – five years and two months
- Jayden Westcott, 21, from Ely – five years and two months
- Connor O’Sullivan, 27, from Ely – five years
- Kyle Telemaque, 21, from Ely – five years in a young offender institution
- Jayden Baston, 21, from Caerau – four years and six months in a young offender institution
- Tyler Stapleton, 26, from Ely – four years and four months
- James Chappell, 31, from Barry – four years and four months
- Liam Williams, 21, from Rumney – four years and three months
- McKenzie Pring, 21, from Pontcanna – four years in a young offender institution
- Callum O’Sullivan, 25, from Ely – three years and nine months
- Gemma Virgin, 45, from Ely – three years and eight months
- Harvey James, 20, from Fairwater – 24-month rehabilitation order
- Jumana Fouad, 19, from Ely – 24-month community order
- Lianna Tucker, 20, from Ely – 24-month community order
- Jasmine Smith, 21, from Heath – 24-month community order
Additional outcomes
Ten juvenile defendants who pleaded guilty to riot have already been sentenced separately. A further four adults, charged with criminal damage or threats to cause criminal damage, also pleaded guilty and have been sentenced.
One adult was sentenced in November 2025 for assaulting two emergency workers, one juvenile received a conditional caution, and five others who were arrested were released with no further action.
South Wales Police said: “We are extremely grateful for the support from the community throughout our investigation.”
