A prolific cycle thief has been banned from riding a bike in Cardiff city centre and from going to bike racks and storage areas. Ryan Marquardt was given a suspended prison sentence and slapped with a criminal behaviour order (CBO) designed to curb his two-wheeled thievery.
Cardiff Magistrates' Court heard that the defendant stole bikes worth thousands of pounds from locations around the city, including outside student halls of residence and university buildings, between October 2025 and June this year. Marquardt, aged 34, of East Tyndall Street, Butetown, Cardiff, pleaded guilty to seven counts of theft.
Previous convictions and sentencing
The defendant has previous convictions for offences including affray, criminal damage, vehicle taking, dangerous driving, theft, and matters of violence. In 2019, Marquardt was jailed for 12 months after leading police on a high-speed pursuit in Cardiff, which saw him driving on the wrong side of the road, going the wrong way around a mini roundabout, running red lights, narrowly avoiding a crash with a taxi, and almost knocking down a pedestrian at a zebra crossing—all while almost twice the alcohol drink-drive limit.
With discounts for his guilty pleas, the defendant was sentenced to 26 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, and issued with a three-year CBO. He must also complete a drug rehabilitation requirement.
Locations covered by the order
As part of the CBO, Marquardt is required to not ride on or be in possession of any bicycle in the city centre of Cardiff. He is also banned from entering or remaining in any designated bicycle storage area, bicycle rack, cycle compound, or similar facility at the following locations:
- Cardiff Metropolitan University Llandaff Campus
- Cardiff Metropolitan University Plas Gwyn accommodation
- Cardiff University Talybont halls of residence (Talybont North, Talybont South, Talybont Court, Talybont Gate)
- Cardiff University sites (land including Postgraduate Centre, John Percival Building, Aberconway Building and Arts & Social Science Library)
- Unite Students Accommodation (Cambrian Point, Severn Point, Blackweir Lodge)
- Hodge Hall halls of residence
- Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf (Glantaf High School)
- University of South Wales Treforest Campus
- Cathays High School
- Maindy Leisure Centre
- Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Plasmawr
Speaking after the sentencing, a spokesperson for South Wales Police said: "The aim of a CBO is to prevent crime and protect the community, local workers, and members of the public from continued distress, disruption, and potential harm. This case demonstrates our commitment to tackling bike theft. Any breaches and incidents should be reported to police."
