These are the faces of the men involved in a shameful violent disturbance in a cemetery which saw running battles involving weapons and vehicles played out in front of grieving mourners. Armed police had to be sent to Swansea's Moriston Cemetery last August as rival factions of an extended family fought with each other and ran amok among the gravestones.
At one point people attending a funeral had to seek shelter in their cars as the brawlers – from teenagers to men in their 50s – fought with hammers, knives, bats, and shovels and chased each other. During the disturbance a number of gravestones were damaged and grassy areas were churned up by vehicles being driven dangerously.
Swansea Crown Court heard the disturbance was part of an ongoing feud between members of a large extended family which has seen confrontations at various locations around south Wales including Newport, Bridgend, Gorseinon, and Cardiff. Nine of those involved in the violent disturbance at the cemetery were sentenced on Monday - you can recap the sentencing in full here.
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Speaking after the sentencing South Wales Police detective chief inspector Mike Owens said: "This was an absolutely appalling incident that would have terrified those peacefully attending the cemetery in the middle of the day. The group, who are all known to each other, committed violent offences and were seen using weapons against each other.
"I hope the sentences today provide reassurance to the community that this kind of criminal behaviour won't be tolerated and anybody committing these acts will face the consequence of their actions. The investigation team were resolute in their commitment to fully investigate the disorder in the cemetery working with other police forces to detain and investigate the individuals involved."
Here are the faces of those sent to prison for taking part in the mass disorder:
Patrick Joseph Murphy
Patrick Joseph Murphy, aged 40, of Pen-y-Bryn caravan site, Bynea, Llanelli, was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison.
Andrew John Thomas
Andrew John Thomas, aged 40, of Maes-y-Bont, Llanelli, was sentenced to three years in prison.
Jeffrey Tawse
Jeffrey Tawse, aged 23, of Letterston Road, Rumney, Cardiff, was sentenced to 18 months in prison.
James Coffey
James Coffey, aged 45, of Wentloog Road, Rumney, Cardiff, was sentenced to two years and three months in prison.
John Coffey Jnr
John Coffey Jnr, aged 24, of Wentloog Road, Rumney, Cardiff, was sentenced to 18 months in prison.
South Wales Police were unable to provide custody photographs for Martin John O'Brien, aged 58, of Sandy Road, Llanelli, and John Joe O'Brien, aged 53, of Sandy Bridge, Llanelli, who were both sentenced to 16 months in prison for their involvement in the disturbance. Two teenage children of Patrick Joseph Murphy – 18-year-old John Murphy and 19 year-old Paddy Murphy – were given suspended terms of detention in a young offenders institution.
This video captured part of the incident:
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