Riotous scenes in Southampton have left a trail of destruction and hurt, and two more men are now facing the consequences for their involvement. Kevin Reeves, 31, from Southampton, has been jailed for three years and four months after pleading guilty to violent disorder, while Noah Etherington, 18, was sentenced to one year and ten months in a young offender institution. The latest convictions bring the total number of individuals convicted in connection with the chaos that erupted on 2 June to seventeen.
The disturbing footage of Henry Nowak, who was stabbed by Vickrum Digwa in December 2025, has sparked outrage across the community. Initially arrested for being the victim of a racist attack, it soon emerged that Digwa had used a large blade and made false claims to officers. This led to Nowak's wrongful detention, while Digwa escaped suspicion – until police bodycam footage revealed the truth. The murder conviction carries a minimum term of 21 years.
In Southampton Crown Court, prosecutor Siobhan Linsley detailed the violence that unfolded in the Portswood area. Kevin Reeves was accused of throwing objects at police, including a metal pan and a traffic cone, while Noah Etherington was seen encouraging the crowd to surge forward, captured on video footage as he threw missiles – one appearing to be part of a brick.
Judge William Mousley KC, presiding over the cases, expressed his concern that the disorder had caused "serious fear, distress and disruption" in the community. He noted that the violence was driven by a hatred of the police and that those involved had many opportunities to leave the scene before it escalated. The protests began outside the city centre police station before moving near the Digwa family home.
The financial toll of the disorder has been significant, with estimated costs for public services amounting to £443,000 in policing efforts alone. Southampton City Council has incurred nearly £7,000 in cleanup and repair operations. A total of 28 individuals have faced charges connected to the incident.
Investigations into the police response continue, with the Independent Office for Police Conduct scrutinising the actions taken by officers following Henry Nowak's stabbing and the false claims made by Vickrum Digwa.