Mayhill riot: 11 men in court charged over Swansea disorder

(left to right) Paul Jones, Michael Parsons, Kian Hurley, William Smolden, Kye Dennis and Aaron Phillips have appeared in court charged with rioting

Eleven men have appeared in court charged with rioting in Swansea.

The defendants were the first of 27 individuals due before magistrates over the next few days.

District judge Christopher James said the cases could not be dealt with in a magistrates' court and would be heard at Swansea Crown Court.

It follows a riot in the Mayhill area of the city in May 2021. A plea and trial preparation hearing is expected to be held on 6 April.

The 11 men charged with rioting are:

• William Smolden, 24, Paul Jones, 44, and Kian Hurley, 21, all from Mayhill

• Michael Parsons, 37, from Waun Wen, Aaron Phillips, 23, from Waunarlwydd, and Kye Dennis, 24, from Fforestfach

• Jahanzaib Malik, 21, Ryan Lee Owen, 20, Dean Price, 40, Tyrone Langan, 27 and Ryan Sarsfield, 25

Six of the men were bailed but five who appeared via video link were remanded in custody until 6 April.

The rest of the cases are expected to be heard over the next two days.