Swansea riot: Eight men plead guilty to taking part in mass disturbance which shook city – Wales Online

Eight men have pleaded guilty to taking part in last May's rioting which erupted in Swansea. Violent disorder broke out in the Mayhill area in the evening of May 20, 2021, following a vigil for a teenager who had died with cars being torched, stones and other objects thrown, and houses attacked.

Police subsequently identified and charged a total of 27 people in connection with the disorder and the first of the accused appeared at Swansea Crown Court on Wednesday to enter pleas to a single count of riot. Eight men entered guilty pleas at the hearing:

Two men pleaded not guilty to riot Kian Hurley, aged 23, of Waun Wen Road in Mayhill, and 24-year-old Kye Christopher Lee Dennis of Dale Close in Fforestfach. A provisional trial date of August 15 was set.

On April 7 three 17-year-old boys pleaded guilty to rioting when they appeared in the dock. Due to their ages they cannot be named. Sentencing was adjourned to a date to be fixed for pre-sentence reports from the Swansea Youth Offending Team.

The remaining defendants will appear at Swansea Crown on Friday to enter their pleas and the sentences of all those who plead guilty will take place after this summer's trial.

Last week three children who cannot be named due to their age were sentenced at Swansea Youth Court for their involvement in the riot. You can read about their sentencing here.

The disturbance broke out following a vigil for 19-year-old Ethan Powell who had died the previous day. A subsequent report into the riot criticised the response of South Wales Police, which refused two requests for a public order unit to be deployed and left cowering residents "unprotected". An independent review said residents whose windows were smashed on Waun Wen Road showed clear distress in recalling their experiences. Read more about the report here.

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Swansea riot: Eight men plead guilty to taking part in mass disturbance which shook city - Wales Online

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