A chaotic night in Ely has led to a guilty verdict for 28-year-old Ashdon O’Dare, found responsible for fuelling a violent riot against the police. Following the tragic deaths of teenagers Kyrees Sullivan and Harvey Evans in an electric bike crash, the community’s grief turned to chaos as O’Dare, of Penygarn Road, stirred the crowd with inflammatory language.
As tensions escalated after the boys’ tragic crash on May 22, 2023, a distressed community took to the streets. What started as an emotional gathering quickly spiraled into a riot involving around 150 people. Missiles flew, fires blazed, and at the heart of the unrest was O’Dare, pushing the crowd to direct their anger towards the police.
His aggressive behaviour, captured during the trial at Newport Crown Court, showcased his role in inciting violence. O’Dare’s shocking insults towards officers were part of his effort to “whip up the crowd,” making him one of the most vocal instigators before slipping away as chaos ensued. Despite leaving the scene early, the court deemed him fully accountable for igniting the situation.
Now, O’Dare awaits sentencing alongside 39 others involved. As the community looks ahead, they await justice while reflecting on the devastating events that unfolded in their streets. Keep an eye out for updates on this and other stories.