**Man Pleads Guilty to Role in Ely Riots Sparked by E-Bike Tragedy**
Cardiff, Wales – The events that unfolded in the suburb of Ely last year remain a deeply resonant chapter in the city’s recent history, and this week, legal proceedings offered a new development as a local man admitted his involvement in the unrest which followed the tragic deaths of two teenagers.
Lee-Martin McQuade, aged 29, appeared before Cardiff Crown Court on Wednesday, where he entered a guilty plea to the charge of rioting. The offence is linked directly to the outbreak of violence and disorder which gripped the Ely area in May 2023, after two local teenagers, Kyrees Sullivan and Harvey Evans, lost their lives in an e-bike accident.
The deaths of Sullivan, 16, and Evans, 15, who crashed while riding a Sur-Ron e-bike, sent shock waves through the community and were followed by several hours of unmitigated chaos. Close to 150 individuals descended on the area as anger and confusion spilled over into disorder, with property damaged and cars set alight amid confrontations with the police.
Court records show that McQuade had previously denied any involvement. However, during proceedings chaired by Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke, he chose to accept responsibility, reversing his initial not-guilty plea. Sentencing has been postponed until 22 December, allowing time for further reports and consideration of McQuade’s role in the outbreaks of violence.
The riot drew extensive news coverage and prompted an ongoing police investigation. To date, forty-two people have faced charges in connection with the disorder, reflecting both the scale of public anger and the determination of authorities to account for each act of vandalism and violence. Those cases are being heard across multiple courts, underlining the widespread impact of the events.
Public scrutiny surrounding the deaths intensified as footage emerged appearing to show a police van following the teenagers moments before the collision. The incident rapidly became a flashpoint for concerns regarding police conduct as well as long-standing tensions within the community.
Subsequently, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) confirmed that the driver of the police van was being investigated on suspicion of dangerous driving, with a gross misconduct notice served. Another officer in the vehicle received a similar notice. In April, after an independent review of the evidence, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) decided not to pursue criminal charges against the officer involved, stating there was insufficient evidence to secure a conviction.
Speaking on that decision, Malcolm McHaffie, who leads the CPS’s special crime division, expressed sympathy for the grieving families. “Our thoughts remain with the families and friends of the two teenagers following their tragic deaths,” he said. He emphasised that the decision could be challenged under the Victim’s Right of Review scheme, which offers the families the opportunity to request a reconsideration.
The Ely riots and the deaths that preceded them sparked a broader debate about community relations, youth safety, and transparency in police actions. Many residents have called for greater engagement and long-term solutions to underlying issues of trust and alienation.
As Cardiff continues to heal from the events of last May, attention now turns to the sentencing of McQuade and the legal resolution for scores of others charged in the riot’s aftermath. For the families of Kyrees and Harvey, and for many across Ely, the search for justice, healing and accountability remains ongoing.