bbc Press
Three more men jailed for violence at Henry Nowak Southampton protest
Images
Three further men have been jailed for violent disorder at a protest in Southampton following the murder of Henry Nowak. It brings the total to 13 men jailed over the disorder last week during which 12 police officers and a police dog were injured. Denis Read, 28, of Addison Road, Sarisbury Green, was jailed for two years and two months, Harry Varney, 24, of Briarswood, Southampton, was jailed for two years and eight months, and Benjamin Jones, 23, of Locksley Road, Eastleigh, was jailed for three years. The protest on 2 June took place after police bodycam footage was released showing Nowak, 18, handcuffed as he lay dying after being stabbed by Vickrum Digwa. Digwa, 23, was jailed for life with a minimum term of 21 years. Read, Varney and Jones admitted the offence at Southampton Magistrates' Court and were sentenced by Judge William Mousley KC at Southampton Crown Court. The sentencing of Mariusz Szczyglo, 45, of Grove Road, Southampton, was adjourned until 30 June. The court heard previously the disorder had cost police ยฃ443,000 for staffing and accommodation, while Southampton City Council had paid ยฃ6,700 in clean-up costs. A total of 22 people have been charged in connection with the incident, which initially saw crowds demonstrating outside the city centre police station, before gathering close to the Digwa family home. Digwa stabbed Nowak with a large blade in December 2025, which he said he carried on grounds of his Sikh faith, then lied to police at the scene, falsely claiming he was the victim of a racist attack. It lead officers to arrest Nowak instead of his killer. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has since launched an investigation into the force's response. Southampton defender James Bree signs a new three-year contract but Scotland striker Ross Stewart is one of seven players released by the Championship club. Ten open-air concerts are set to take place in Southampton's Guildhall Square throughout June. Disorder broke out in Southampton close to where the 18-year-old student was murdered. The Institute for Medical Innovation will focus on five major disease areas, backers say. Elisha Oakley, 24, was rushed to an emergency surgery at Southampton General Hospital on 29 May.
Comments
You must be logged in to comment.