Two new names have been added to the list of individuals facing charges in connection with the violent disorder that erupted during protests in Southampton on 2 June, following the murder of student Henry Nowak. Thomas Thacker, a 35-year-old from Southampton, and Amanda McCartney, a 52-year-old from Fratton, Portsmouth, have both been charged with violent disorder and are due to appear at Southampton Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.
The latest charges bring the total number of people facing legal action as part of the ongoing investigation by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary to 25. Several individuals have already been imprisoned for their involvement in the disturbances, which saw crowds initially gather outside a city centre police station before moving towards the family home of Vickrum Digwa, Nowak's killer.
The protests were sparked by the release of police bodycam footage showing 18-year-old Henry Nowak handcuffed as he lay dying, having been stabbed by Digwa. This disturbing evidence was released in the aftermath of Digwa's life sentence, which carries a minimum term of 21 years, for Nowak's murder on 1 June. However, the Solicitor General has referred this sentence to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme, suggesting it may not adequately reflect the severity of the crime.
Those involved in the unrest on 2 June caused significant disruption and injury, with 12 police officers and a police dog sustaining injuries during the events. The wider context of Nowak's death also raises serious questions about police conduct, including the deception perpetrated by Digwa at the scene of the stabbing in December 2025. By falsely claiming he was the victim of a racist attack, Digwa misled officers into arresting Nowak instead of his attacker.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has launched an investigation into the force's initial response to the incident, which will examine the actions of officers involved and the circumstances that led to Nowak's arrest. This probe is a critical step towards understanding how such mistakes can occur and ensuring accountability within the police service.