Man accused of encouraging 'carnage' and 'mayhem' during Ely riot

A man accused of rioting in Cardiff encouraged others as "carnage" and "mayhem" unfolded, a court has heard.

Ashdon O'Dare, 28, from Ely, denies taking part in the violence which developed following the deaths of Kyrees Sullivan, 16, and Harvey Evans, 15, who were killed when their e-bike crashed on 22 May 2023.

On Monday, a jury at Newport Crown Court watched police body cam footage showing how tensions escalated as officers tried to secure the scene of the crash in which the two teens suffered "catastrophic injuries".

Michaela Gonzales, 37, from Ely, who was also due to be part of the same two-week trial, changed her plea and admitted a charge of riot.

Opening the prosecution's case, barrister Matthew Cobbe told the jury that "rumours started" about the cause of the crash and "parts of the crowd believed that the police were to blame".

Mr Cobbe said "for some, it was an irresistible opportunity to sneer and jeer - many enjoying themselves as they did".

He described bottles, bricks and plasterboard being thrown, with fires set and cars "trashed".

"A petrol bomb was thrown at police officer," Cobbe added.

Body-worn footage filmed through riot shields was played to the jury showing people coming at officers with doors, bricks and fireworks.

But the court heard not everyone condoned the violence, with some residents carrying out "random acts of kindness" like handing out drinks to officers who had been on the scene for hours.

"This was not the public versus the police, not Ely versus the police," Mr Cobbe added.

The court was told "dozens" of people took part in the violence and that some had already accepted their part, which meant the jury could be sure a riot had taken place.

"The focus will be whether or not you can be sure Mr O'Dare played his part in that riot," said Cobbe.

The jury was told O'Dare was one of the first at the scene of the crash and was caught on body-worn footage "whipping up the crowd around him" and "encouraging others" to get involved in the violence.

Soon some of the "youngsters" around O'Dare were throwing stones and bottles, the court heard, with the defendant accused of directing abuse at officers including calling them "a bunch of rapists".

The court heard O'Dare did not throw any missiles and eventually left.

However, Cobbe said "he was not absolved from responsibility" by this and was "one of the most prominent in those early stages".

O'Dare was arrested in June 2023 and answered "no comment" to most of the questions at interview.

The jury was told he accepted he was the person identified in the video but did not accept that he was threatening or encouraging those around him.

The trial continues.

Earlier, Michaela Gonzales pleaded guilty to taking part in the rioting.

She was granted unconditional bail and told she would be sentenced in June.