Police officer was set on fire during Ely riots, court told

Here is the latest breaking news from around the world: Court told police officer was set on fire during Ely riots as sentencing continues1 hour ago Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleNelli BirdBBC Wales, Cardiff Crown CourtGetty ImagesAround 150 people turned up to Ely as riots broke out following the deaths of two teenagers, with a total of 30 people sentenced this week A judge has sentenced rioters to a total of nearly 140 years in custody for their parts in violence in Cardiff three years ago. The night of violence and vandalism in May 2023 was sparked by the deaths of Kyrees Sullivan, 16, and Harvey Evans, 15, after their e-bike crashed in the suburb of Ely. Around 150 people turned up to the area in the aftermath after police, whose van had been seen driving behind the pair earlier on the evening of the crash, were blamed by some for the teenagers' deaths.

Cardiff Crown Court heard on Friday that one defendant helped prepare petrol bombs which were later thrown at police and set one female officer on fire. In total, 30 people have been sentenced this week with 26 given custodial sentences ranging from 3 years and 8 months to 6 years and nine months. Four who were under 18 at the time of the riot were given community orders.

The Details

This week's sentencing saw tensions and outbursts in the public gallery, leading to the area being cleared by the judge. At the end of her sentencing, Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke praised the bravery of the hundreds of police officers who were working on the night of the riots. "They risked their safety in a very dangerous and very volatile situation - I commend them for their dedication to duty.

"Ely riot 2023: what happened? Ely riot: Police timelineA number of people in the public gallery wore turquoise t-shirts featuring the faces of the two teenage boys Sullivan and Evans, with the words "three years of missing you both" written on them. All seven defendants were sentenced for rioting.

Lee-Martin McQuade was sentenced to six years and four months in jail, with the court told he was part of the group preparing petrol bombs of which one was thrown at officers and set a police officer on fire. The 30-year-old from Ely shouted abuse at police and accused them of killing the two teenage boys, calling the officers "rapists", and he encouraged people to "hit Ely police station" with petrol bombs. There were gasps in court when Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke told McQuade the maximum term he might have faced was eight years in jail but this was reduced because of his guilty plea early in the process.

What Experts Say

South Wales Police(L-R from top) Malaki McQuade, Gemma Virgin, Callum O'Sullivan, Liam Black, Lee-Martin McQuade, Connor O'Sullivan. Liam Black, 21, from Ely, was sentenced to six years and nine month detention in a young offenders' institution. The court heard he threw fireworks at police, burned a plank of wood, and encouraged others to throw things at police.

Connor O'Sullivan, 27, from Ely, was sentenced to five years in jail, having thrown missiles including a brick at police.

The story has become one of the most prominent items on the global agenda.