Teenage trio are sentenced for their roles in Mayhill riot
THE first sentences have been handed down to people who took part in the Mayhill riot in Swansea.
Three teens appeared at Swansea Youth Court to plead guilty to their involvement in the disturbance on May 20 last year, which saw cars set alight, bricks thrown at residential properties, and police attacked.
A total of 27 people have been charged in connection with the disorder on Waun Wen Road, with most set to appear at Swansea Crown Court next month.
The age of those alleged to have taken part ranged from teenagers to those in their 40s – but it was the youngest who have been the first to be dealt with.
All three, who were not involved in any planning of the riot, pleaded guilty to a single riot charge each. None can be identified for legal reasons.
Opening the prosecution, Craig Jones said: “The demonstration occurred during what should have been a peaceful celebration to Ethan Powell, a local man who sadly passed away prematurely on May 19.”
The court was shown a compilation video of footage of the incident, as well as shorter footage which identified each of the defendants.
The first to appear in court was a 16-year-old teenage girl, who was 15 at the time of the incident.
Mitigating, Rhys Davies told the court: “She is identified throwing stones and looking for others to throw, and breaking larger stones to create more, as well as passing them to others to throw.
“She was arrested at her home address and in interview admitted being present and throwing stones. She said she got carried away with the crowd.”
Sentencing, District Judge Christopher James told each defendant: “This offence of riot is particularly serious and unpleasant incident at what should have been a peaceful event to commemorate the life of a friend whose life had been cut short prematurely. It turned into a mindless display for damage and destruction causing terror and distress to the close-knit community of Mayhill.
“The impact has been life-changing for a number of individuals who have been left terrified by the incident.”
Considering a custodial sentence for the teen, he acknowledged her immaturity and her cooperation with police following her arrest. She was given a 12-month referral order – but warned if she didn’t engage with the youth justice system and breached the order she would face custody.
The second teen, a male aged 17 at the time of the riot, was shown throwing stones and “showing no consideration for the safety of others”.
Craig Jones said the teen had no previous cautions, reprimands, or warnings from police.
Distinct Judge James said he accepted the teen had not been among the organisers of the riot, but had not accepted his guilt when first arrested, offering no comment interviews to police.
He was also given a 12-month intensive referral order, “the maximum I can impose to avoid custody”, said the District Judge.
The third teen, aged 15 at the time of the riot, was also shown throwing stones on footage. One of the missiles thrown by him hit another rioter on the head.
He was given a 12-month youth rehabilitation order, with an intensive support and surveillance order for six months, including a three-month curfew, from 7pm to 7am, “to remove you from your peer group at night”. It will involve 25 hours a week of contact with the youth offending team.