Police had ‘little protection’ in Cardiff’s Ely riots

Police had “little protection” when violence broke out in Cardiff following the death of two teenage boys, a court has been told.

Body-worn and drone footage has been shown to a jury in the trial of eight people accused of rioting in Ely in May 2023.

Newport Crown Court heard ot captured 25 year-old Zayne Farrugia, from Caerau, appearing to pick up items from the ground – allegedly stones – and throw them at police.

All eight defendants deny the charge of riot.

The incident was said to have lasted around 30 seconds, during a recording of nearly two hours.

Jurors were also shown video of 27-year-old Jordan Bratcher, from Llanishen, allegedly throwing an object at officers.

Messages read out in court suggested he had later told a friend he was involved in the unrest.

Further footage showed 37-year-old Michaela Gonzales, from Ely, in the crows outside her mothers house, with earlier evidence suggesting she had thrown a bottle at police.

The riot was sparked by the deaths of two teenagers, Kyrees Sullivan, 16, and Harvey Evans, 15, who were killed when their e-bike crashed on Snowden Road on 22 May 2023.

Lee Robinson, 38, from Caerau, McKenzie Danks, 22, from Caerau, Michaela Gonzales, 37, from Ely, Zayne Farrugia, 25, from Caerau, Jordan Bratcher, 27, from Llanishen, Jaydan Baston, 21, from Caerau, Connor O’Sullivan, 26, from Ely and Luke Williams, 31, from Caerau, deny the charge of riot.

The trial is expected to last six weeks.