Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Jun 11
Three Men Jailed Up to 3 Years for Southampton Protest Violence After Henry Nowak Case
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Jun 11

Three Men Jailed Up to 3 Years for Southampton Protest Violence After Henry Nowak Case

3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jun 11

Summary

  • Darren Medhurst, 36, got 3 years 3 months, while Callum Darch, 27, and Harley Haynes, 23, each received 2 and a half years for violent disorder at the 2 June Southampton protest.
  • Judge William Mousley said the unrest was driven by hatred of police and, in some cases, racist views after bodycam footage showed 18-year-old Henry Nowak handcuffed as he lay dying.
  • 12 people have now been sentenced over the disorder, which injured 12 police officers and a police dog; prosecutors said Medhurst played a leading role by throwing items and helping propel a burning bin at officers.
  • The case is still unfolding: 21 people have been charged, Kamil Josef Klonek was remanded for a 30 November trial after pleading not guilty, and Tyler Burley's sentencing was put back to 30 June.
  • The riot followed outrage over police handling of Nowak's fatal stabbing by Vickrum Digwa, who is serving life with a minimum 21 years, while the IOPC investigates the force's response.

Insights

How did a tragic video ignite a real-world riot that cost the city nearly half a million pounds?
After a fatal police error sparked a riot, will the officers involved ever face accountability?
When a protest against police failure turns violent, where does the line between justice and hate crime lie?