A police officer has described how people threw slate “like they were throwing frisbees” during rioting in Cardiff two years ago.
Eight defendants are on trial at Newport Crown Court charged with rioting in May 2023 when violence broke out following the deaths of two teenage boys in Ely.
PC Dan Rogers from South Wales Police told the jury that people came at officers with a burning mattress as well as throwing slate.
He said the experience, which saw him hit in the knee by a brick, was “quite frightening”.
PC Rogers, based at Porth police station, Rhondda Cynon Taf, was one of a number of officers who came to the scene after “Operation Scorpion” was declared by South Wales Police. This was a call to any officer with advanced public order training to attend.
The court heard how the group of officers he was with initially wore baseball caps and had no riot helmets or shields, before putting on flame-retardant suits once missiles were being thrown.
PC Rogers recalled one man, who the jury heard was ” 30-40, 6ft 2, large and muscular” and “wearing a tank top”. He was “vocal and abusive” as police tried to move the crowd backwards.
Soon officers were told to adopt the “show of strength” stance, meaning they should take batons out of their holders and above their heads, pointing upwards.
PC Rogers described how in the following moments he hit the large man in the vest “to the legs” with his baton and the man then “ran away from the police line”.
Asked why he struck the man PC Rogers said ” to change his thought process and get him to leave the area.”
PC Rogers told the jury he was hit on the wrist by an object and that a “heavy blow” to his knee from a brick meant he could not continue and he was sent back to Ely police station.
X-rays confirmed “soft tissue damage” to his knee and wrist.
Eight defendants are on trial but by lunchtime on Thursday only five were in the dock due to illness.
Those on trial accused of riot, who all deny the charge, are:
- Lee Robinson, 38, from Caerau near Ely, Cardiff
- McKenzie Danks, 22, from Caerau
- Michaela Gonzales, 37, from Ely
- Zayne Farrugia, 25, from Caerau
- Jordan Bratcher, 27, from Llanishen, Cardiff
- Jaydan Baston, 21, from Caerau
- Connor O’Sullivan, 26, from Ely and
- Luke Williams, 31, from Caerau
The jury was told Michaela Gonzales was allowed to leave on Thursday morning after her doctor confirmed a “nasty digestive infection” and Jordan Bratcher and Zayne Farrugia were also “very unwell” by lunchtime and allowed to go home.
The court also heard two of the dock officers were also feeling unwell and the court would undergo a “deep clean” overnight.
The trial continues.
