Nelli BirdBBC Wales, Newport Crown Court
The mothers of two boys whose deaths sparked riots in Cardiff have shown their support for one of the defendants on trial in connection with the violence.
A group of seven men are on trial at Newport Crown Court charged with rioting on 22 May 2023 following the deaths of Kyrees Sullivan, 16, and Harvey Evans *, 15, in an e-bike crash in Ely, after rumours spread that they were being followed by the police.
Character references from Kyrees' mother, Belinda Sullivan, and Harvey's mother, Nadine Evans *, were read to the jury in relation to Jaydan Baston.
Ms Sullivan described the 21-year-old as “polite” and “hard-working” and a “good friend for a long time” to her son.
The court has already heard how Mr Baston was a member of a football team called H&K Forever Young, set up in memory of the two teens, and Ms Sullivan said in her reference that Mr Baston played “his heart out week in week out, showing dedication and commitment”.
Ms Evans * also described Mr Baston as “well-mannered, polite and respectful”.
On Tuesday, the jurors were told they would not need to give a verdict in the case of 37-year-old Michaela Gonzales, who has been absent repeatedly from court due to illness.
Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke told the jury that Ms Gonzales had suffered fractured ribs and a chest infection and her recovery would “take some time”.
“I don't want to put off this trial, even for a week, because we are now * coming to the end of a trial,” she said.
She explained the alternative option was for her to “discharge” the jury from giving a verdict in the case of Ms Gonzalez, which she did.
Earlier, the jury heard from 25-year-old Connor O'Sullivan, who told the court he admitted being part of a riot, saying he was “disgraced with myself”.
The court was told the defendant had ADHD and dyslexia and went to Woodlands High School in Ely, a special school for people with learning disabilities.
Explaining to the jury why he got involved, he said he had felt threatened and “scared”.
“It was loads of people in there. I heard someone say ‘if you don't take part, I am basically going to beat you up',” he said, adding they also threatened to “put all my windows through”.
Asked why he stayed at the scene for five hours, Mr O'Sullivan said: “I felt scared for my life” and said he threw a brick at police because people were telling him to “come and join in”.
Under cross *-examination from prosecutor Matthew Cobbe, Mr O'Sullivan denied he was enjoying the riot but did not deny he could be seen in a video at about 23:30 BST appearing to shout “come on boys, any more”.
Hashim Salmman, representing 31-year-old defendant Luke Williams, told the court his client would not be giving evidence in his own defence.
Lee * Robinson, 38, of Caerau; McKenzie Danks, 22, of Caerau; Zayne Farrugia, 25, of Caerau; Jordan Bratcher, 27, of Llanishen; Jaydan Baston, 21, of Caerau; Connor O'Sullivan, 26, of Ely; and Luke Williams, 31, of Caerau, each deny a charge of riot.
The trial continues.
