A thug who climbed on top of a police van and engaged in “shameless” violent disorder during a protest in Epping last summer has been jailed.

Shaun Thompson, 38, appeared to cry as he watched back video footage of his behaviour at Chelmsford Crown Court on Monday (June 15).

The protester, of Epping, was described as having been “clearly riled up” in the trouble which broke out near The Bell Hotel in Epping on July 17. Thompson – who has a series of previous convictions, including six for battery and two for criminal damage – engaged “quite willingly” in the widespread and significant disorder, the court heard.

Judge Alexander Mills, sentencing, said the protester had “goaded” police officers and “created a real risk of harm” by clambering on top of the moving van. He sentenced Thompson to two years and seven months behind bars.

Chelmsford Crown Court was told on Monday (June 15) that police estimate around 500 people attended the protest on July 17. Mr Sam Willis, prosecutor, said the protest began peacefully but, between around 5.30pm and 10pm, the protest “descended into serious public disorder in the town centre and around The Bell Hotel.”

“Police were subjected to sustained attack for four hours,” Mr Willis said. “Officers were pushed, punched and kicked. Police vans were damaged. Damage was caused to public property and caused the closure of nearby businesses.”

The court was shown footage of Thompson, wearing an England flag as a cape, at the front of a police cordon. In multiple clips of the same incident he was seen clambering onto a Metropolitan Police van as it was moving.

Mr Barry Gilbert, defence, said Thompson has a “long-standing mental health difficulty”. He added: “What we are watching is a man that is not well. I ask, will it do any good to lock him up? It may be that’s what is coming. I would ask you not to do that.”

Thompson had admitted violent disorder and criminal damage relating to the Met Police van at previous court hearings. His criminal record includes nine convictions for 15 offences, including six for battery.

Multiple protests were held outside the hotel last summer after asylum seeker Hadush Kebatu was charged with the sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl. The Ethiopian national – who came on a small boat to the UK – was convicted of five offences, including sexual assault. He was jailed but wrongfully freed from HMP Chelmsford in October before he was detained and deported to Ethiopia.

Around 100 police officers were deployed to the disorder in Epping from across Essex while neighbouring forces such as the Met, British Transport Police, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire constabularies all supported.

A senior officer with two decades of experience said he had “never witnessed disorder on this scale in Essex, and certainly not in a town like Epping”. The disorder also impacted local businesses who reported having to close early and suffering financial losses. A nearby Shell garage was said to have been the victim of shoplifting and criminal damage during the incident.

Judge Mills said: “This was not a protest. It’s shameless violent disorder. It’s you demonstrating what little regard you had for the police in part because you thought they were in the wrong, apparently for standing up for asylum seekers. They were not standing up for any group but trying to keep law and order for the people in Epping.”

Thompson was sentenced to two years and seven months immediate imprisonment.

Essex Live

A teenager charged with violent disorder after rioting broke out at a Southampton protest has been released on bail – but has been banned from going to protests.

Callum Cool, who threw a bottle at police during the violence on June 2, must not attend any protest or gathering with more than ten people while on bail before his sentencing at the end of the month.

Appearing at Southampton Magistrates’ Court on Monday morning, Cool saw his case adjourned until June 29, when he will be sentenced at the city’s crown court.

Cool, 18, of Robinia Green, Southampton, pleaded guilty to violent disorder during the hearing.

Varun Chuni, prosecuting, said the defendant threw a bottle at a police line during the disturbances that broke out on June 2.

Clare Rose, for Cool, described the defendant as an “incredibly bright young man” who lived locally with his family.

She added that Cool was only 17 at the time he committed the offence, adding that he had no previous convictions.

She said Cool had spent three days in custody, adding: “This has been a taste of what might lie ahead for him.”

District Judge Robinson released him on conditional bail, saying he must live and sleep at his home address and comply with an electronically monitored curfew between 6pm and 1am.

Cool was also ordered not to attend any protest or gathering involving more than ten people.

The demonstration, which involved 1,000 people, started outside Southampton Central Police Station before hundreds moved on to the Portswood area where student Henry Nowak was fatally stabbed last December.

Anger erupted after police body-worn video was released showing Mr Nowak being placed in handcuffs moments before he became unconscious and subsequently died.

Vickrum Digwa, 23, who lived in a nearby road with his family, was jailed for life to serve a minimum of 21 years for his murder.

Daily Echo

Three further men have been jailed for violent disorder at a protest in Southampton following the murder of Henry Nowak.

It brings the total to 13 men jailed over the disorder last week during which 12 police officers and a police dog were injured.

Denis Read, 28, of Addison Road, Sarisbury Green, was jailed for two years and two months, Harry Varney, 24, of Briarswood, Southampton, was jailed for two years and eight months, and Benjamin Jones, 23, of Locksley Road, Eastleigh, was jailed for three years.

The protest on 2 June took place after police bodycam footage was released showing Nowak, 18, handcuffed as he lay dying after being stabbed by Vickrum Digwa.

Digwa, 23, was jailed for life with a minimum term of 21 years.

Read, Varney and Jones admitted the offence at Southampton Magistrates’ Court and were sentenced by Judge William Mousley KC at Southampton Crown Court.

The sentencing of Mariusz Szczyglo, 45, of Grove Road, Southampton, was adjourned until 30 June.

The court heard previously the disorder had cost police £443,000 for staffing and accommodation, while Southampton City Council had paid £6,700 in clean-up costs.

A total of 22 people have been charged in connection with the incident, which initially saw crowds demonstrating outside the city centre police station, before gathering close to the Digwa family home.

Digwa stabbed Nowak with a large blade in December 2025, which he said he carried on grounds of his Sikh faith, then lied to police at the scene, falsely claiming he was the victim of a racist attack.

It lead officers to arrest Nowak instead of his killer.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has since launched an investigation into the force’s response.

BBC News

Three men have been jailed for their parts in violent disorder that erupted on the streets of Southampton.

Harry Varney, 34, Denis Read, 28 and Benjamin Jones, 23, were all sentenced at Southampton Crown Court, having admitted to violent disorder during the protest reacting to the Henry Nowak case on June 2.

The court heard how Jones had punched out at a police riot shield and how Read and Jones threw projectiles at the police.

Prosecutor Siobhan Linsley said that Harry Varney, of Briarswood, Southampton, was identified by his “Donald Pump” vest and was videoed chasing retreating officers, pointing aggressively and kicking a bin.

He later leaned on police riot shields while filming himself, acting aggressively and punching a riot shield multiple times.

He has a previous conviction in 2023 for domestic assault.

Khalid Missouri, mitigating for Varney, told the court that his client hadn’t been recording for social media or for “pride”, but because he felt he had been assaulted by police.

He added that Varney will lose his job of ten years as a result of this case.

Benjamin Jones, of Locksley Road, Eastleigh, picked up three stones and threw them at the police and kicked a bin into a parked car.

The prosecutor says that Jones picked up three stones and threw them at police, before turning and chatting to others in the crowd as if he was on a “day out”.

Stephen Tricker, mitigating for Jones, read a letter from his client which said: “If I could turn back time, I wouldn’t have been there.”

Jones attended the disorder in “spur of the moment”, added Mr Tricker.

Turning to Read, of Addison Road in Sarisbury Green, Ms Linsley said he was among those who chased the retreating officers, including picking up rubbish from a spilt bin to throw.

Later, he entered a garden overlooking the junction of the police cordon on St Denys Road.

The prosecutor says he threw seven items down at the police line, including a glass bottle and plastic.

He also threw soil over a police van.

Thomas Acworth, mitigating for Read, who he said became “overtaken” by what was happening during the disorder.

Mr Acworth said that the disorder was the result of “cycnical” use of a tragedy for the aims of others against the wishes of Henry Nowak’s family, adding his client’s participation was “unbelievably stupid”.

Judge William Mousley KC sentenced Jones to two years and two months imprisonment, Read to two years and eight months imprisonment, and Varney to three years imprisonment.

Mariusz Szczyglo, 45, of Grove Road, Southampton, had also been due to be sentenced at the same time, but as he didn’t have legal representation, so his sentencing was adjourned until June 30.

Daily Echo

Members of Flag Force Plymouth and counter protestors faced off in Plymouth city centre

Police have confirmed that a man arrested at a protest in Plymouth’s city centre in April later entered into an out-of-court agreement.

Social media was awash with footage taken on April 25 regarding a man who was captured on camera struggling with police as he was arrested for an alleged assault on another man.

The incident took place during the protests at Old Town Street, which has become the new protest base since the temporary closure of footpaths around the Sundial in Armada Way.

The event saw members of Flag Force Plymouth – who describe themselves as “celebrating Plymouth’s heritage and bringing our community together through the proud display of our national flags” – waving St George and Union flags while counter protestors – made up of a number of differing groups including Antifa – shouted “Nazi scum, off our streets”.

The footage, shared by Plymouth – UK Anti-Fascists’ Facebook page, showed a number of officers detaining a male who wore a sleeveless black top which bore a red Christian cross.

Prior to this, he had been captured on video, shown on another social media page, shouting through a small megaphone at an older man regarding the issue of Palestine.

Devon and Cornwall Police have now confirmed that the man had been arrested during the incident but was not charged with any offence.

A spokesperson for the force said: “A 33-year-old man from Plymouth was arrested on suspicion of assault by beating on Saturday 25 April.

“He was dealt with via Community Resolution Order and had to complete diversionary courses as part of that.”

The same man was recently seen protesting with others outside Charles Cross police station, wearing a Captain America-style helmet, a blue stab vest and a plastic police-style riot shield with a large “Flag Force Plymouth” sticker.

According to other social media sites, the protest was to show outrage over Hampshire Police’s actions on the night 18-year-old Henry Nowak was murdered.

Vickrum Digway, aged 23, repeatedly stabbed the 18-year-old student, initially claiming Henry had attacked him.

Nowak repeatedly told officers at the scene who handcuffed him that he had been stabbed and could not breathe as he lay dying, Southampton Crown Court previously heard.

Last week Digwa was given a life sentence after being found guilty of Henry’s murder, and ordered to serve a minimum tariff of 21 years. Hampshire Police is currently being investigated by police watchdog IOPC and a full inquest into the circumstances of Henry’s death will take place at a later date.

Plymouth Herald

A 36-year-old man has pleaded guilty to violent disorder after throwing a frying pan at police as violence broke out in Southampton during a protest following the murder of student Henry Nowak.

Ryan Atkinson of Southampton entered his plea at Southampton Magistrates’ Court earlier.

A protest was held in the city on 2 June after police bodycam footage was released showing 18-year-old Nowak being placed in handcuffs after he had been stabbed by Vickrum Digwa, 23, who was jailed for his murder.

Atkinson is the 22nd person to be charged following the protest. He was remanded in custody to be sentenced at Southampton Crown Court on 29 June.

Four more men are set to be sentenced at Southampton Crown on Friday for their parts in the disorder. To date a total of 12 people have been sentenced.

The police operation involved 100 officers from nine different areas with a cost of £443,000 and a clean-up cost to the local council of £7,000, the court heard.

A crowd initially took part in a demonstration at the city centre police station before gathering near the family home of Digwa.

Violence broke out with 12 police officers and a police dog injured as missiles including wheelie bins and chairs were thrown.

Nowak’s family condemned the violent scenes.

The 18-year-old, from Chafford Hundred in Essex, was fatally stabbed in December by Digwa, who falsely claimed he had been racially abused.

Nowak was a first-year accountancy and finance student at the University of Southampton.

BBC News

Three men have been jailed for violent disorder at a protest in Southampton following the murder of Henry Nowak.

Darren Medhurst, 36 of Carnation Road, Southampton was jailed for three years and three months, while Callum Darch, 27, of St Blaize Road, Romsey and Harley Haynes, 23, of Avenue Road, Southampton received two-and-a-half year sentences.

A total of 12 people have so far been sentenced over the disorder during which 12 police officers and a police dog were injured.

The protest on 2 June took place after police bodycam footage was released showing Nowak, 18, handcuffed as he lay dying after being stabbed by Vickrum Digwa, 23, who was jailed for life with a minimum term of 21 years.

Passing sentence at Southampton Crown Court, Judge William Mousley KC said: “Local residents were subjected to fear, distress and a genuine sense of danger.”

Mousley, who had also precided over Digwa’s trial, repeated his conclusion from previous hearings that the violence was “hate crime, borne out of a hatred of the police and in some cases racist views”.

Prosecutor Edward Culver told the court Darren Medhurst had played a “leading role” in the disorder, throwing two items at police and lighting a burning bin that was propelled towards officers.

His sentence of three years and three months is a month more than the previous longest sentence passed over the disorder.

The court heard that Medhurst, had 51 previous convictions for 96 offences, including handling stolen goods, burglary and shoplifting.

Harley Haynes was shown in video footage with a black hood over his head.

The court was told he threw a number of objects including a brick and several pieces of glass.

One piece hit a lamppost and shattered, showering people with glass, the prosecution said.

Haynes had nine convictions for 21 offences including theft, criminal damage and supplying cannabis.

His defence argued that his involvement in the protests was “a one-off – an impulsive decision”.

Callum Darch threw a wheelie bin at police officers, the court heard.

Culver explained how it was “targeted directly at the police” and how the action inflamed and encouraged others in the crowd.

Kamil Josef Klonek of Lordswood Road, Southampton, became the first of the 21 defendants facing charges following the protest to plead not guilty.

Prosecutor Culver said Klonek was filmed in the “centre of the disturbance, chanting at police” and throwing a beer can.

The 33-year-old was refused bail and was remanded in custody. A trial date was fixed for 30 November.

Clockwise from top: Daniel Frost, Andrew Summerhayes, Reece Robinson, Taylor Grundy and Dillon Crawford were sentenced on Wednesday

The sentencing of Tyler Burley, 18, of Shakespeare Road in Southampton, was adjourned until 30 June for a pre-sentence report to be prepared. He previously pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

The prosecution read statements from police officers who were at the scene, with one officer saying those taking part were “acting like it was some kind of party or blood sport”.

Another said he was aware that officers have received threats which have made them concerned for their safety.

A third spoke of his fear that someone was going to be killed at the disturbance.

Five men were jailed on Wednesday:

Daniel Frost, 44, of Southampton, for two years and four months

Reece Robinson, 21, of Havant, for two-years

Taylor Grundy, 22, of Gosport, for two and a half years

Andrew Summerhayes, 38, of Romsey, for three years and two months

Dillon Crawford, 29, of Southampton, for three-years

On Tuesday, Connor Bishop, 24, was sentenced to two years and eight months and Leon O’Leary, 41, was jailed for three years and one month.

The court heard previously that the disorder had cost police £443,000 for staffing and accommodation, while Southampton City Council had paid £6,700 in clean-up costs.

A total of 21 people, have been charged in connection with the incident, which initially saw crowds demonstrating outside the city centre police station, before gathering close to the Digwa family home.

Digwa stabbed Nowak with a large blade in December 2025, which he said he carried on grounds of his Sikh faith, then lied to police at the scene, falsely claiming he was the victim of a racist attack. It lead officers to arrest Nowak instead of his killer.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has since launched an investigation into the force’s response.

BBC News

He was described as having participated “quite willingly” in the disorder

A football coach who had a key role in violent disorder in Epping last summer has been jailed. Lee Gower, 43, was one of several who took part in a protest near to The Bell Hotel in the town on July 17.

He was convicted of violent disorder after a trial at Chelmsford Crown Court earlier this year. Gower was described at an earlier hearing as “the man who runs the local football team” and a “pillar of the community”.

Judge Alexander Mills said if his conduct on the side of a football pitch is “anything like your actions that day then it raises serious concerns”. Gower shook his head as he was told he would serve two years and nine months behind bars.

The court heard that a nearby Tesco, the Shell Garage and a local pub were all impacted by the disorder. The pub had to close its car park, leaving customers unable to get to it, while Tesco and the garage both closed early. There was also “huge financial loss” to the businesses.

More than 100 police officers were deployed to the disorder in Epping, involving officers from Essex as well as the Metropolitan Police, British Transport Police, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire constabularies. Many of them worked extended 12-hour shifts. A senior officer with two decades of experience said he had “never witnessed disorder on this scale in Essex, and certainly not in a town like Epping”.

Multiple protests were held outside the hotel last summer after asylum seeker Hadush Kebatu was charged with the sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl. The Ethiopian national – who came on a small boat to the UK – was convicted of five offences, including sexual assault. He was jailed but wrongfully freed from HMP Chelmsford in October before he was detained and deported to Ethiopia.

At his sentencing on Thursday (June 11), Gower was described as a community figure. Tony Wyatt, defence, said: “Lee Gower is a well liked member of the community and very much a community man. It’s that status that has been triggered for ending up with him being there.”

Dad-of-two Gower was said to have two previous convictions for three offences, dating back to 2002.

Judge Mills said: “You participated quite willingly in disorder that was widespread. It came at a significant cost to the police in finances and resources.

“You goaded and were violent and hostile to the police and counter-protesters. In doing so you were constantly at or near the front of the crowd. You were a material contributor to the events that day.”

Essex Live

Three more men have been jailed for their parts in the violence which broke out at a demonstration in Southampton over the murder of student Henry Nowak, bringing the total of protesters imprisoned so far to 10.

Darren Medhurst, 36, was jailed for three years and three months at Southampton Crown Court along with Callum Darch, 27, and Harley Haynes, 23, who were both imprisoned for two years and six months, all three for the offence of violent disorder.

It now means ten people have been jailed and comes as it was revealed in court for the first time that a member of the public suffered a broken jaw in the violence.

It was also revealed that the police operation involved 100 officers from nine different areas with a cost of £443,000 and a clean-up cost to the local council of £7,000, the court heard.

A total of 21 people have been charged with violent disorder following a demonstration of around 1,000 people outside central Southampton police station on June 2 to protest against the circumstances around Mr Nowak’s death and the actions of police.

Anger had erupted after police body-worn video was released showing Mr Nowak being placed in handcuffs moments before he became unconscious and subsequently died.

The court has heard that 13 police officers and a police dog were injured and a member of the public suffered a broken jaw in the violence which happened when hundreds continued the protest which moved to the street where Mr Nowak was killed.

Vickrum Digwa, 23, who lived in a nearby road with his family, was jailed for life to serve a minimum of 21 years for his murder.

Edward Culver, prosecuting, told the court that a police officer involved in the operation described the protesters as treating the disorder as a “party or blood-sport” and they feared “someone could be killed”.

Mr Culver read statements to the court from some of the police officers on duty that night, including one who said: “This event stood out from the 2011 London riots for which I was also present.

“This event stood out for the blood-thirstiness.”

Another added: “Returning back to work has been challenging and traumatic.”

Tyler Burley, 18, of Southampton, had his case adjourned for a pre-sentence report to be prepared and he was remanded in custody until his sentencing hearing on June 30.

Also, excavator driver Kamil Klonek, 33, of Southampton, pleaded not guilty to violent disorder including throwing a beer can during the protest and he was remanded in custody until his trial set to start on November 30.

Daily Echo