The third day of sentencing hearings for 30 people involved in the Ely riots has heard how one defendant was a 'stone and missile thrower' during the initial escalation. Matthew Cobbe, prosecuting, told Cardiff Crown Court that 18-year-old McKenzie Pring arrived shortly after the collision and watched until disorder escalated. 'He became involved in the first flurry of stone throwing, gathered stones from a nearby garden, and threw them at police,' Mr Cobbe said as footage of Pring's involvement was played.
Pring was arrested and made no comment. The court heard he has two previous convictions for offences including assault, possession of an offensive weapon, possession of a knife, and possession of cannabis. In mitigation, Andrew Taylor said Pring should receive 20% credit for his guilty plea. The barrister highlighted that Pring was a 'good friend' of Kyrees Sullivan and Harvey Evans, whose deaths while riding an electric bike sparked the riots on May 22, 2023.
The Background of the Riots
The two teenagers were involved in a fatal collision and pronounced dead at the scene. Around 150 people attended the riot, which saw hours of violence and vandalism on Wilson Road in the west Cardiff suburb. Crowds gathered quickly, with shock turning to anger as rumours circulated online that police were responsible for the deaths. The mothers of the teenagers attempted to reach their children but were blocked by police.
Violence and Destruction
During the riots, police officers set up a cordon to protect the scene. Hostility escalated to a full riot, with hundreds of officers called in. Missiles including bottles, bricks, plasterboard, and fireworks were thrown. Cars were rolled over and set alight, doors were thrown at officers, mattresses were set on fire, and petrol bombs were thrown, engulfing one police officer in flames.
On Wednesday, defendants Jamie Jones, Jayden Westcott, and Lianna Tucker are due to be sentenced in the morning, followed by Keiron Beccano, Jordan Webster, and Jasmine Smith in the afternoon. Updates will continue throughout the day.
