Man admits throwing frying pan at Nowak protest

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