A 19-year-old, Harvey James, has admitted to involvement in the riots that erupted in the Ely suburb of Cardiff following the deaths of two teenagers in a tragic e-bike crash. After initially pleading not guilty, James changed his plea at Cardiff Crown Court and awaits sentencing in December. The riots broke out after the tragic loss of 16-year-old Kyrees Sullivan and 15-year-old Harvey Evans, who died on May 22, 2023, after their Sur-Ron e-bike crashed. This heartbreaking event saw over 150 individuals involved in violent disturbances.
The ongoing investigation has led to charges against 42 people connected to the riots. Video footage has revealed a police van trailing the e-bike moments before the fatal accident. While the driver of the police van is under scrutiny for potential dangerous driving, the Crown Prosecution Service has opted not to press charges against the South Wales Police officer. However, the officer faces a gross misconduct case due to alleged inconsistencies in their account of the incident. Another officer in the van has also been served a gross misconduct notice.
Assistant Chief Constable Simon Belcher stated, “We’ve cooperated fully with the Independent Office for Police Conduct to ensure a complete investigation.” As the community seeks answers, thoughts remain with the families and friends of Kyrees and Harvey. Stay tuned for more updates on this evolving case.