Ryan Knight admits part in disorder after teens’ deaths

A 20-year-old man has admitted taking part in riots following the deaths of two teenage boys.

Ryan Knight, from Splott in Cardiff, pleaded guilty to involvement in the unrest, described as “unlawful violence for a common purpose” in the city’s Ely area in May 2023.

Kyrees Sullivan, 16, and his best friend Harvey Evans, 15, died in an e-bike crash in Ely, Cardiff, on 22 May 2023.

The disorder which followed continued until the early hours, leaving 31 police officers injured, property damaged and cars torched.

Knight appeared wearing a tracksuit in the dock at Cardiff Crown Court on Monday.

The judge was told he had been due to appear before magistrates in September, but did not attend the hearing, so a warrant was issued for his arrest.

The court was told he was currently serving a custodial sentence for a public order matter.

There was no application for bail, but his barrister said there would be a future application for a pre-sentence report.

Due to the numbers of people alleged to have been involved in the Ely riot, three separate trials have been arranged between September and March next year.

Knight was told that a provisional sentencing date for those who have pleaded guilty had been set for 22 December, but it could be delayed until after the third trial in 2026.