Judge starts giving her rulings on the rioters who brought fire and violence to Ely in a night of mayhem – live updates

The seventh day of the sentencing hearing of 30 people involved in the Ely riots is about to get underway. Today the defendants will learn their fate and know what sentence awaits them.

The courtroom is packed today with people in the public gallery, barristers and members of the press. Today will be the first time sentence is passed upon some of the defendants.

Violence began following the deaths of two teenage boys in an electric bike collision on May 22, 2023. Around 150 people attended the riot which saw hours of violence and vandalism take place on the streets on and near Wilson Road in the west Cardiff suburb.

Kyrees Sullivan, 16, and Harvey Evans, 15, were killed while riding an electric bike through the streets in the area. The two young boys were involved in a fatal collision and were later pronounced dead at the scene. Stay in the know by making sure you’re receiving our daily newsletter

Read more: The 30 rioters who brought anarchy to Ely and their exact roles in the bedlam

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.

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

Police officers to set up a cordon to protect the scene. As time went on a larger proportion of the crowd became hostile towards the police with that hostility quickly escalating to the point the police were facing a flat-out riot.

Hundreds of police officers were directed to assist colleagues as missiles were thrown from the crowd including bottles, bricks, plasterboard, and fireworks.

Cars parked in the street were rolled over and set alight, doors were taken off their hinges and thrown at officers, mattresses were set alight, and petrol bombs were thrown with one police officer engulfed in flames. Helicopters were overhead filming what went on below.

On Wednesday, Lee Robinson, Tyler Stapleon, Michaela Gonzales, Ashdon O’Dare, Jordan Bratcher, Harvey James, Luke Williams, Jaydan Baston, Keiron Beccano and McKenzie Pring are due to be sentenced. See the full 30 being sentenced here.