Deceased boys’ mothers provide riot-accused character witness

Local TV

The scenes in Ely in 2023 are etched into the minds of the community. A number of people have pled guilty to rioting in the past, and now a number of others have denied the charges in Newport Crown court.

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00:00The scenes from Ely two and a half years ago will be etched in the minds of the community

00:07for some time to come. After the death of two teenagers, Kyrie Sullivan and Harvey Evans,

00:12rioting broke out on the streets aimed at police. There were projectiles thrown, cars

00:17destroyed and overturned, as well as buildings and properties being damaged. 23 police officers

00:22were treated in hospital for their injuries. The boys died after an apparent police chase.

00:27They were riding on an electric scooter and seen on CCTV driving down the road with a police fan in

00:32close pursuit. Now eight people have been on trial for rioting, which has been an ongoing

00:38in Newport Crown Court, in the latest development in the trial in which defendants have expressed

00:43regret for their actions, but all have denied the charge of rioting. On Tuesday, the mothers of the

00:50two boys who lost their lives were provided a character witness for one of the defendants,

00:5421-year-old Jayden Baston, which were read to the jury.

00:59Kyrie's mother, Belinda Sullivan, described him as hard-working, polite and a good friend

01:04for a long time to his son.

01:08Harvey's mother, Nadine Evans, described him as well-mannered, polite and respectful.

01:13The jury in Newport Crown Court has already been told it is only the people on trial that they are

01:18assessing for guilt, given rioting on the streets was clear to see from the night of the incident.

01:24A number of people, including some under the age of 18, have already pled guilty to charges

01:28in previous trials.

01:31The events, back in May 2023, will live a long time in the memory of the people of Ely, with

01:37lasting damage on the streets and in the community.

01:40James Peach Watkins, reporting for Local TV.

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