Officer struck alleged rioter as he feared assault, court hears

A POLICE officer said he used his police baton to strike an alleged rioter because he feared he was going to be assaulted and "didn't want to take the risk".

- PHILIP DEWEY

He denied striking another alleged rioter, and said he did “not recall” using his baton a second time.

Rioting in Ely, Cardiff, broke out on May 22, 2023, after the deaths of Kyrees Sullivan, 16, and Harvey Evans, 15, who were killed in a crash while riding an electric bike in Snowden Road.

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, have all pleaded not guilty to rioting.