Teen sentenced for Ely murder
Colin Richards died following a confrontation in Ely in 2024
A teenager who fatally stabbed another man in the thigh has been sentenced to life imprisonment at Cardiff Crown Court.
Corey Gauci, 19, was with James O’Driscoll, 27, in the Ely area of Cardiff on 7 April 2024 looking to confront Christian Morgan over an ongoing dispute. Colin Richards, who died as a result, was with Christian Morgan at the time.
Gauci and O’Driscoll were driven to the area by O’Driscoll’s mother, Soraya Somersall where the two men confronted Morgan.
O’Driscoll was armed with a machete and chased Morgan whilst Gauci damaged Colin Richards’ car and inflicted the lethal wound.
Following the attack, Noreen O’Driscoll and Rebecca Ross took the weapons and disposed of them in an attempt to hide the evidence.
Gauci and O’Driscoll also dumped the clothes they had been wearing in a bag and left Cardiff, and were arrested three weeks later in Stoke-on-Trent.
Colin Richards died on 8 April 2024 as a result of his injury.
Anthony Clarke of the Crown Prosecution Service said: ”Corey Gauci and James O’Driscoll had armed themselves and were intent on violence when they confronted the other men.
“The three women knew what had occurred and deliberately tried to hide the evidence.
“The brandishing of knives can often end with terrible consequences, and sadly in this case, it resulted in the devastating loss of life.
“Our thoughts will remain with Colin’s family and friends over their tragic loss.”
On 23 May 2025 Gauci was sentenced to life imprisonment and ordered to serve a minimum of 24 years before being considered for release.
James O’Driscoll was sentenced to four years for violent disorder and possession of a bladed article, Soraya Somersall was sentenced to two years and six months for assisting an offender., Noreen O’Driscoll was sentenced to three years for assisting an offender and Rebecca Ross was sentenced to two years for assisting an offender and possession of a bladed article.
Christian Morgan, 36, was sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment suspended for two years for possession of a bladed article.