Teenager sentenced for Ely murder
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.
James O’Driscoll was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment with an extended license of one year, Soraya Somersall was sentenced to three years and six months’ imprisonment, Noreen O’Driscoll was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment and Rebecca Ross was sentenced to a total of two years’ imprisonment.
Christian Morgan, 36, was sentenced to one year imprisonment which was suspended for two years.
Notes to editors
- Corey Gauci (DOB: 25/9/2005) is from Grangetown, Cardiff, and was convicted of murder, following trial.
- James O’Driscoll (DOB: 19/2/1988) was of no fixed abode and was convicted of violent disorder and possession of a bladed article, following trial.
- Noreen O’Driscoll (DOB: 16/6/1995) is from Ely, Cardiff, and was convicted of assisting an offender, following trial.
- Soraya Somersall (DOB: 17/6/1980) is from Butetown, Cardiff, and was convicted of assisting an offender, following trial.
- Rebecca Ross (DOB: 24/7/1980) is from Lincoln, and was convicted of assisting an offender and possession of a bladed article, following trial.
- Christian Morgan (DOB: 23/4/1988) is from Caerau, Cardiff, and was convicted of possession of a bladed article, following trial.
- Colin Richards died on 8 April 2024 aged 48 years old.
- Anthony Clarke is a Senior Crown Prosecutor in CPS Cymru-Wales.