After the deaths of two teenage boys in a bike crash, thirty-one individuals have been charged for rioting in Cardiff’s Ely neighborhood. The disorder began on the evening of May 22, 2023, when 16-year-old Kyrees Sullivan and 15-year-old Harvey Evans died on Snowden Road. Four people have been charged with causing or threatening to cause criminal damage, while twenty-seven others have been charged with rioting. They are all set to appear in Cardiff Magistrates’ Court in September.
The ages of those accused range from 15 to 53, with eight defendants under the age of 18. Jenny Hopkins from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) stated that “We have authorized South Wales Police to charge 27 defendants with the offense of riot. A further four defendants have been charged with causing or threatening to cause criminal damage.” During the unrest, fifteen police officers were injured, and properties were destroyed while vehicles were set ablaze.
After the tragic bike crash incident, rumors began to spread on social media that the teenagers had been followed by a marked police van just before their deaths. Following the release and analysis of the CCTV footage by BBC Verify, the force admitted that their officers had indeed been trailing the two teenagers. The driver and passenger of the police van were served with gross misconduct notices after the bike crash. Meanwhile, the driver is also under investigation for dangerous driving by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
Ch Supt Danny Richards of South Wales Police said, “During the disorder several vehicles were set alight, property was damaged, police officers were injured, and residents were scared in their homes. We are extremely grateful for the support from the community throughout our investigation and we now await the outcome of the court process.” Ultimately, it was a sad and unfortunate situation for all parties involved
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