How the deaths of two boys sparked chaos - now seven men will pay the price for their part

In May 2023, mass violence and chaos broke out on the streets of Cardiff. Seven men were among those who took part, but they are only part of the story, as Philip Dewey reports

- Philip Dewey

IT WAS a moment of tragedy which led to scores of people becoming involved in a riot which shook the community of Ely to its core.

“Anger, despair and distress” at the deaths of two teenage boys in 2023 led to all-night chaos on the streets, with bricks, bottles, glass, stones and fireworks thrown at police officers who lined the streets.

Many of them were left injured and traumatised.

Property was damaged, cars overturned and set alight, mattresses and doors were hurled at police, even a petrol bomb was thrown, which struck an officer and engulfed her in flames.

Here is the full story of the Ely riot and the roles of the participants, who have been convicted following a trial...

Kyrees Sullivan, 16, and Harvey Evans, 15, were killed on May 22, 2023, while riding an electric bike through the streets of Ely.

The two boys were involved in a fatal collision, and were later pronounced dead at the scene.

The mothers of the two teenagers attempted to run to their children, grief-stricken and in desperation, but their path was blocked by the police as the emergency services battled to save the boys’ lives.

Moments after the collision, large crowds consisting of members of the close-knit community of Ely came out to witness the horror as it unfolded.

Shock and sadness quickly turned to distress and anger as rumours circulated that the police were responsible for the death of Kyrees and Harvey, who had previously been pursued by a police van.

Speaking at a trial at Newport Crown Court, prosecutor Matthew Cobbe said: “It was clear from communication directed at the police who attended from the crowd that they, the police, were being blamed for the crash”

After the deaths of Kyrees and Harvey had been confirmed, the boys’ bodies remained on the ground as the investigation began immediately.