A pair of twin brothers, Morgan and Jayden Williams, both 18, threatened to blow up a police station and cars during the May 2023 riots in Ely. The incident occurred following the death of two boys in Ely, 15-year-old Harvey Evans and 16-year-old Kyrees Sullivan. Morgan, from Pentwyn, and Jayden, from Grangetown, made threats to property belonging to South Wales Police at a police cordon on Wilson Road during the disturbance on May 22, 2023.
During the confrontation, Morgan Williams threatened officers by stating, “Your station, your police station is getting blown up tonight, on my brother’s grave.” Additionally, he menacingly added, “Even your houses, I’ll find out where you live.” Jayden Williams also joined in, declaring, “All these 30 cars are getting blown up.” Both brothers were charged with threatening to cause criminal damage and have pleaded guilty to the offences.
Although they were not charged with the offence of riot, the Williams twins are among 31 individuals facing charges relating to the public disorder in Ely. They are scheduled for sentencing at Cardiff Crown Court on October 21. The court heard details about the circumstances leading up to the threats made by the twins during the May 2023 events. Following a road traffic collision involving the two teenagers who tragically passed away, tension escalated among the public at the scene, leading to hostility towards the police.
The prosecutor, Alex Orndal, outlined the events, stating that the incident unfolded shortly after 6pm on May 22, with police responding to a report of a road traffic collision involving the two teens. As police officers were managing the situation and protecting the scene, members of the public became agitated and hostile towards the police, amidst rumours about the circumstances of the collision. This situation required the setting up of a cordon on Stanway Road and adjacent areas.
The Williams twins’ threats were just one aspect of the chaos and tensions that unfolded during the riots in Ely. The court proceedings have shed light on the volatile situation that emerged following the tragic events that fateful day. As legal proceedings continue for the individuals involved in the Ely riots, the impact of these events on the community and law enforcement remains a significant concern.