Five jailed for violence at Henry Nowak police protest

Five Men Sentenced for Disorder at Police Protest Following Henry Nowak's Killing

Five jailed for violence at Henry - A protest in Southampton erupted into chaos on June 2, leading to the sentencing of five men for violent offenses linked to the death of Henry Nowak. The incident followed the release of police bodycam footage showing Nowak, 18, being stabbed by Vickrum Digwa, 23, who later received a life sentence with a minimum term of 21 years.

Details of the Sentences

Daniel Frost, 44, of Southampton, was sentenced to two years and four months for using a dog lead as an offensive weapon. Reece Robinson, 21, of Havant, received a two-year term after admitting to hurling stones or bricks at officers. Taylor Grundy, 22, of Gosport, faced two and a half years for throwing objects during the disturbance. Andrew Summerhayes, 38, of Romsey, was jailed for three years and two months following accusations of ramming a wheelie bin into police. Dillon Crawford, 29, of Southampton, received a three-year sentence for launching a bin and a metal chair at officers.

"The violence was a 'hate crime, borne out of hatred of the police and in some cases racist views,'" stated Judge William Mousley KC, who presided over both Digwa's trial and the current case.

Background of the Defendants

The court heard that Frost, a father-of-two from Cornwall, had described the event as "today's fun" and a "big party." Reece Robinson's lawyer emphasized his clean record, noting he had "not even a parking ticket." In contrast, Andrew Summerhayes, with 25 prior convictions, was positioned at the forefront of the public unrest. Taylor Grundy, under a community order for driving offenses, was seen in footage sitting on a wall and later throwing wood at police. Dillon Crawford, known for 19 convictions, including an incident where he broke his partner's front teeth, punched her unconscious, and later claimed to have put bleach in her hair.

Impact and Aftermath

The disorder caused significant damage, with twelve officers and a police dog sustaining injuries. Missiles such as wheelie bins and chairs were thrown, resulting in £443,000 in police costs and £6,700 in city council clean-up expenses. A total of 21 individuals have been charged in connection with the incident, which began with demonstrations outside the city center police station and escalated near the Digwa family home.

Digwa, who claimed he stabbed Nowak in defense of his Sikh faith, falsely accused the victim of a racist attack, leading to his own arrest. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has since launched an inquiry into the force's handling of the situation.