Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Jun 10
Five Men Jailed Up to 3 Years for Southampton Protest Violence After Henry Nowak Killing
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Jun 10

Five Men Jailed Up to 3 Years for Southampton Protest Violence After Henry Nowak Killing

3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jun 10

Summary

  • Five men were sentenced to between two years and 2 months and three years and 2 months for violent disorder at a 2 June Southampton protest after footage showed Henry Nowak, 18, handcuffed as he lay dying.
  • Judge William Mousley KC said the unrest was a hate crime driven by hatred of police and, in some cases, racist views; the court heard the men threw chairs, bins, wood, stones and bricks at officers.
  • 12 police officers and a police dog were injured, while the disorder cost police £443,000 in staffing and accommodation and Southampton City Council £6,700 in clean-up costs.
  • A total of 21 people have been charged over the violence, which began outside the city-centre police station before crowds moved near killer Vickrum Digwa's family home.
  • Digwa is serving life with a minimum 21 years for murdering Nowak after falsely claiming a racist attack at the scene, and the IOPC is investigating police handling of the case.

Insights

Two protesters are jailed. Will the officers who handcuffed a dying teen face similar justice?
With a new act designed to reduce prison populations, why were these protesters immediately jailed?
Jailed for years, could these rioters be freed in months under a brand-new law?