Three men have been handed substantial prison sentences for their roles in the violent disorder that erupted during a protest in Southampton, sparked by the murder of teenager Henry Nowak. Darren Medhurst, 36, of Carnation Road, Southampton, received a sentence of three years and three months. Callum Darch, 27, of St Blaize Road, Romsey, and Harley Haynes, 23, of Avenue Road, Southampton, were each jailed for two-and-a-half years.
The protest, which took place on 2nd June, followed the release of police bodycam footage showing 18-year-old student Henry Nowak handcuffed as he lay dying after being stabbed. Vickrum Digwa, 23, has since been jailed for life with a minimum term of 21 years for Nowak's murder. Judge William Mousley KC, presiding over the sentencing at Southampton Crown Court, stated that local residents were subjected to 'fear, distress and a genuine sense of danger' during the disorder. He reiterated his conclusion from earlier hearings that the violence constituted a 'hate crime, borne out of a hatred of the police and in some cases racist views'.
Prosecutor Edward Culver detailed the specific actions of the jailed men. Darren Medhurst was identified as playing a 'leading role', throwing two items at officers and igniting a burning bin that was then propelled towards police lines. His sentence is the longest handed down so far in connection with the unrest. Medhurst has a history of 51 previous convictions for 96 offences, including burglary and handling stolen goods. Harley Haynes was captured on video footage, with a black hood covering his head, throwing multiple objects, including a brick and pieces of glass, one of which shattered against a lamppost, showering bystanders. Haynes had nine prior convictions for 21 offences. Callum Darch was seen throwing a wheelie bin directly at police officers, an action the prosecution argued inflamed and encouraged others in the crowd.
The disturbances resulted in injuries to 12 police officers and a police dog. So far, a total of 12 individuals have been sentenced in connection with the protest, with others including Daniel Frost, Reece Robinson, Taylor Grundy, Andrew Summerhayes, and Dillon Crawford also receiving prison terms ranging from two years to three years and two months. The court was informed that the disorder incurred significant costs, with police expenses for staffing and accommodation reaching £443,000, and Southampton City Council spending £6,700 on clean-up operations.
The protest initially gathered outside the city centre police station before moving closer to the home of the Digwa family. Further legal proceedings are ongoing, with Kamil Josef Klonek, 33, pleading not guilty to charges and being remanded in custody for a trial in November. The sentencing of Tyler Burley, 18, who previously pleaded guilty to violent disorder, has been adjourned until 30th June for a pre-sentence report. Police officers' statements read in court conveyed the harrowing experience, with one officer describing participants as 'acting like it was some kind of party or blood sport' and another expressing fear that someone could have been killed.
Source: Southampton Crown Court