Mayhill riot victim given car by man 'disgusted' by disorder

A Swansea resident has given his car to a man who had his own burnt out during rioting in the city.

Vehicles were destroyed and windows smashed in Mayhill last Thursday after a balloon release for Ethan Powell, 19, who collapsed and died the day before.

Ben Wheel said giving his old car to victim Adam Romain left him "speechless".

Mr Wheel, 27, said it was a "no-brainer", and Mr Romain said it had restored his faith in people.

Mr Romain, whose house was targeted after he tried to stop youths setting fire to his car, has since said he will move from Swansea, saying he does not feel safe there any more.

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The wreckage of burnt-out cars littered Waun-wen Road in Mayhill

Personal trainer Mr Wheel, from nearby Fforestfach, said he had seen in reports that Mr Romain was a delivery driver who relied on having a vehicle.

As he had bought a new car himself, he decided to give him his black 2007 Vauxhall Astra that he estimated to be worth about £600.

Ben Wheel (right) met Mr Romain to donate the car to him

"It's disgusting. There's no way that should have happened," he said of the riots.

Mr Romain described bricks being thrown through windows while his girlfriend and children screamed, and feared his home would be looted.

He said his children had now "bounced back" but added his partner was too scared to come home.

"I'm on a rollercoaster, up and down, thinking I don't know where to point the anger sometimes," he added.

He said he was grateful to all the people who had offered support and was stunned by the offer of a car.

He said: "I was immediately blown away. I could not believe there was such generosity out there, especially after what had just happened.

"We were left with the feeling of being alone, and complete despair, and a loss of faith in humanity."

Initially, he felt he should not accept the gift as he thought there may be someone else more deserving.

"The response of everyone, especially Ben, has been overwhelming," he said.

It reminded him to keep faith in community and Swansea, he said.

Seven arrests have already been made following the disorder.

A coroner's investigation has also been opened into the death of Mr Powell, from Port Tennant, whose death was linked to the unrest.

He died at Morriston Hospital after collapsing.

Post-mortem tests have not yet established a cause of death and further tests will be carried out.