A man who threw an “unidentified item” at police during the protests following the murder of Henry Nowak has been handed a suspended sentence.

Riley Hawkins, 18, of Oxford Road, Southampton was sentenced to 15 months imprisonment, suspended for two years, at Southampton Crown Court on Tuesday, July 28.

During the protests on St Denys Road on June 2, 12 police officers were injured, property was damaged and residents were terrorised.

Sentencing Hawkins, Judge William Mousley KC said: “Your involvement in this was to be near the cordon in St Denys Road you were with someone else.

He added: “During that time, you threw a large item, not identified, towards the police cordon.

“You were subsequently identified, arrested and questioned by police.

“You denied having thrown anything despite being shown the footage.”

The court was shown a video of the protest during which Hawkins can be seen launching the item in the direction of the police while the mob were jeering at a helicopter.

The court also heard how Hawkins admitted to smoking cannabis before the protest but said this did not affect his behaviour.

Ms Siobhan Linsley, prosecuting said: “Once the crowd built up in front of the police cordon, he was captured on footage throwing a large unidentified item towards police.”

She added that Hawkins was arrested on June 29 and that during a police interview he said, “I didn’t throw nothing”.

Ms Audrey Archer, defending, said: “This defendant would benefit from the rehabilitation activity requirement (RAR) of some 30 days.

“He is eager to uptake that type of involvement with the probation service and is grateful for it.”

She added: “He was contacted by the King’s Trust to engage with positive activities and meaningful work going forward.”

He has also completed a cannabis awareness course since his arrest.

Deciding on a suspended sentence, Judge Mousley KC said: “You had no previous convictions, and I have read about the disruption you have experienced during your life so far.

“Your neurodiversity and associated problems and borderline mental health disorders are mitigating factors.”

Hawkins was also fined £500 and was given a RAR of up to 30 days.

Judge Mousley reminded Hawkins that if he commits a criminal offence, fails to pay the fine or breaches his RAR he will be brought before the courts again.

Vickrum Digwa received life in prison with a minimum term of 21 years for the murder of Henry Nowak while his mum, Kiran Kaur, received a three year sentence for assisting the murderer.

A total of 33 people have been charged as a result of violent disorder in the protests which took place on June 2.

The protests began at Southampton Central Police Station before heading to St Denys Road in Portswood, close to the site where Henry Nowak was murdered and the Digwa family home.

During the protests items were thrown at police including bricks, bottles and others as well as a bin being set on fire and pushed towards the police cordon.

Daily Echo

Exclusive: Hampshire police data reveals 22 of 37 detained had been accused or convicted of intimate partner violence

Most people arrested during violent protests after the sentencing of Henry Nowak’s murderer had previously been reported to the police for domestic abuse, the Guardian can disclose.

Data released by Hampshire police under freedom of information laws shows that 22 of 37 people (59%) detained in Southampton after Vickrum Digwa was jailed for life have been reported for crimes associated with intimate partner violence.

Protests took place on 2 June after police bodycam footage was released showing Nowak, 18, handcuffed as he lay dying after being stabbed by Digwa, who had falsely accused him of racism. Nowak repeatedly said he had been stabbed.

Digwa stabbed Nowak with a large blade he claimed to carry as part of his Sikh faith, before falsely telling police he had been the victim of a racist attack, leading officers to initially arrest the white teenager rather than his killer.

The footage led to claims from Nigel Farage and others that it was evidence of “two-tier policing” and “anti-white prejudice” within police forces.

Demonstrators initially gathered outside a city centre police station, with several hundred people then attempting to march towards the murder location and the street where Digwa’s family lived. During prolonged violent disorder, 12 police officers were injured, and nearby properties and vehicles were damaged.

Harry Varney, 34, claimed he attended the public gathering to pay his respects to Nowak, but was later filmed swearing at police and punching their riot shields. He was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment.

In 2023, he pleaded guilty to assault by beating after pinning his partner against a bedroom wall, bruising her neck. He claimed she deserved to be beaten by a previous abusive ex-partner and continued to threaten her after this attack.

She said in a written statement read out in court: “I suffer with flashbacks, anxiety attacks and nightmares. I also now struggle with my social life trusting people. I can’t be left alone with a man without feeling scared.”

Dillon Crawford, 29, was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment after throwing a brown bin and a metal chair “with some force” at police officers during the disturbances. He has 19 previous convictions, including for domestic abuse offences. During one incident, he broke a partner’s front teeth, punching her unconscious, and, after she woke up, told her he had put bleach in her hair.

Andrew Summerhayes, 38, was seen throwing a wheelie bin at police during the disorder. He was sentenced to three years and two months for violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon.

Hampshire police confirmed that 33 people had now been charged for their involvement in the public disorder. The force has referred itself to the police watchdog, with two officers who attended the scene being investigated for potential gross misconduct by the Independent Office for Police Conduct. The investigation is considering potential failures to identify that Nowak needed urgent medical help and the decision to arrest and handcuff him before providing first aid.

The Guardian previously revealed that two out of every five arrested for participating in riots in 2024 had been the subject of a domestic abuse report before their involvement, with one in five subsequently being reported for domestic abuse.

Farah Nazeer, the chief executive of Women’s Aid, said: “Over the last two years, we have seen recurrent anti-migrant protests that have erupted into violence, with many of those arrested also carrying convictions for domestic abuse or other crimes against women and girls. It is not surprising that someone who is violent in public may also be violent at home, as there is a proven correlation between the two.”

A Home Office spokesperson said: “Violence against women and girls is a national emergency. We will continue to deploy the full power of the state to bring perpetrators to justice and prevent harm before it occurs.

“Our violence against women and girls strategy sets out how we will pursue and manage domestic abuse perpetrators, including through the rollout of new domestic abuse protection orders.”

The Guardian

Robert Scott admitted theft and criminal damage at Liverpool Crown Court

A man who stole a Deliveroo bag during an anti-migrant protest incriminated himself by posting a picture of it on his Facebook.

Robert Scott, 47, was accused of taking the bag from a rider’s bicycle during a Liverpool city centre protest following a stabbing in Belfast.

Scott, of Stanley Road in Bootle, appeared before Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday charged with theft of the bag; burglary of a dwelling with intent to cause criminal damage; and criminal damage. Appearing from HMP Liverpool via video link, Scott entered guilty pleas to theft and criminal damage.

The court heard the criminal damage related to the front door of the Richmond Hotel on Hatton Garden, which houses asylum seekers. The cost of the damage amounted to £240, the court heard.

Scott denied the burglary count after asking the judge: “I thought I was just getting done for criminal damage?” Caleb Suggitt, prosecuting, told the court that the Crown Prosecution Service would not be seeking a trial on the charge and it was ordered to lie on the file.

Following Scott’s guilty pleas we can now reveal that the day after the protest he posted a picture of the stolen Deliveroo bag on his Facebook page.

The bag had been plastered with pictures of Henry Nowak – the murdered Southampton student whose death prompted a wave of protests after police officers handcuffed him while dying – and a sticker which said: “Save our kids – security in schools.”

Scott’s picture was accompanied by the status: “Save our kids. Justice for Henry.”

Scott also posted a picture of a man, believed to be himself, with an emoji covering his face and the Deliveroo bag slung over his shoulder, clutching a cardboard sign which said: “Liverpool stands with Belfast.”

He also videoed the initial part of the protest on the steps outside St George’s Hall, showing several dozen people and a number of flags, before turning the camera on himself. He had his face covered but was wearing the same Nike cap as the man in the picture holding the bag and sign.

Judge Ian Unsworth KC, presiding, adjourned the case to allow for a pre-sentence report to be prepared. He told the defendant, who wore a grey Berghaus t-shirt and sported a shaved head: “Please do not read anything into the fact I have ordered the report.”

The judge told Scott: “This is plainly a serious matter,” before remanding him in custody to appear for sentence on August 13.

The ECHO previously reported that a crowd of 100 to 150 protesters gathered from around 7pm on June 9 before moving to other locations in the city centre. The protest was the day after a violent incident in Belfast which saw a suspect of Sudanese descent ultimately charged with attempted murder after a man was repeatedly stabbed.

During the evening, doors and windows were damaged at the Richmond Hotel and it was reported that a group of people had been chased down Dale Street while being verbally abused. The ECHO understands the protesters shouted “you’re going back home” towards takeaway delivery riders.

Liverpool command unit commander Natalie Perischine previously said: “Our officers respect the right of individuals to peacefully gather and express their views in accordance with the law, however, we will never tolerate any type of racism, violence or criminality on our streets.”

Scott’s social media shows significant anti-migrant and “anti-establishment” sentiment with posts including statements such as “no more illegals”, “raise the colours”, “never trust a copper” and “save our kids”.

Scott’s Facebook also showed he had said he was attending a protest outside Merseyside Police’s St Anne Street station the previous week in memory of Mr Nowak.

The 18-year-old’s case sparked outrage and protests after the release of police body-worn video which showed the student being placed in handcuffs moments before he became unconscious and subsequently died. His murderer, Vickrum Digwa, 23, was jailed for life to serve a minimum of 21 years.

Liverpool Echo

Six more men have been charged in connection with violent disorder that erupted in Southampton following a protest over the murder of student Henry Nowak.

The latest cases mean that 33 have now been charged, with Hampshire police saying they are continuing to pursue those involved.

Those who have already been put in front of the judge at Southampton Crown Court have seen prison sentences as long as three and a half years.

Now police have confirmed new charges.

Noah Barker, 19, of Derby Road, Southampton, has been charged with violent disorder and was remanded in custody to appear at Southampton Magistrates’ Court today, July 13.

Joshua Quinn, 29, of Sayers Road, Bishopstoke, has also been charged with violent disorder. He was remanded in custody and appeared before Southampton Magistrates’ Court on July 11.

Mark Gray, 25, of Mansbridge Road, Southampton, appeared before magistrates on July 7 charged with violent disorder. He was remanded in custody and is due to appear at Southampton Crown Court on August 4 for a plea hearing.

Three other men have already admitted violent disorder.

Allan Harcourt, 47, of Landguard Road, Southampton, appeared before magistrates on July 6, where he admitted violent disorder. He was remanded in custody and is due to appear at Southampton Crown Court on July 29.

Jarrad Wareham, 19, of Tatwin Crescent, Southampton, also admitted violent disorder when he appeared before magistrates on July 6. He was remanded in custody and will appear at Southampton Crown Court on July 29.

Riley Hawkins, 18, of Oxford Road, Southampton, admitted violent disorder when he appeared before magistrates on June 20. He was remanded in custody and is due to appear at Southampton Crown Court on July 28.

Around 1,000 people gathered for a protest following public anger over the murder of 18-year-old university student Henry Nowak and criticism of the police response to the incident.

As the evening progressed, violence flared, with bottles and other objects thrown at officers. Hampshire Constabulary said makeshift weapons were used and homes and vehicles belonging to residents were damaged.

Eleven police officers and one police dog were injured during the disorder.

Daily Echo

A woman has been bailed after admitting violent disorder after ugly scenes broke out following a protest over police treatment of murder victim Henry Nowak.

Bethany Davies appeared in the dock at Southampton Crown Court wearing a grey sweatshirt, having pleaded guilty in relation to the incident on June 2.

The court heard that 22-year-old Davies has a history of anti-police behaviour, having assaulted two officers when she was 18.

Davies, of Tennyson Road, Yarmouth, on the Isle of Wight, had attended the disorder with fellow Islander Teagan Sims but Bridget O’Hagan, mitigating, told the court that she had been unaware of it in advance.

Ms O’Hagan, mitigating, said that Davies had only been in Southampton to act as a model for 19-year-old Sims, of Purdy Road in Carisbrooke, who was studying a hair and beauty course, and she “didn’t want to let her down”.

Ms O’Hagan said: “She didn’t even know the protest was taking place on June 2.”

The case was adjourned so that a pre-sentence report could be prepared.

The part-time cafe worker became emotional when she was granted conditional bail similar to Sims, who has also admitted violent disorder.

Siobhan Linsley, prosecuting, argued against bail being granted, raising concerns about the defendant’s previous convictions.

The prosecutor said she had showed “hostility towards the police, and has acted on it on two occasions now”.

Judge William Mousley KC said: “On everything I have seen or read, this is an appropriate case for bail.

“I am not persuaded that the concerns that have been raised about committing further offences are unmanageable, even with conditions, so I will grant bail.”

Davies was granted conditional bail to live and sleep at an address in Yarmouth, not to attend any protest or gathering of more than three people, not to leave the island and not to contact Teagan Sims.

She will be sentenced on the same day as Sims at the same court, on August 7.

Addressing Davies, the judge added: “The fact I am giving you bail, you should not take as any indication or suggestion of what sentence will be on the next occasion.”

The disorder took place on June 2, the day after Vickrum Digwa, 23, of St Denys Road, was jailed for at least 21 years for murdering Henry Nowak, 18, in Belmont Road in December last year.

On June 2, a peaceful protest outside Southampton Central Police Station turned violent after hundreds of protesters marched more than two miles to Belmont Road in Portswood.

This road saw two hours of “significant disorder”, with projectiles and a flaming bin being thrown at the police.

Body-worn video footage had shown police arresting university student Henry who had been fatally stabbed. The police watchdog the IOPC is investigating two officers for gross misconduct.

Daily Echo