Southampton man who kicked bin at police in disorder jailed

A man who kicked a bin at police in disorder that erupted over the police treatment of Henry Nowak has been jailed.

Thomas Thacker, 35, was sentenced to 16 months in jail at Southampton Crown Court on Friday for his part in the June 2 violence that followed the release of body-worn video footage showing how 18-year-old Henry was handcuffed after being stabbed by Vickurm Digwa.

The court heard that Thacker kicked a bin at police and was following officers and filming them up close.

When Thacker was arrested two weeks after the protest he said: “All I did was kick a bin and I’m going to jail.”

Siobhan Linsley, prosecuting, said that Thacker was at the front of the group on Belmont Road where he was seen filming police officers up close.

She added: “It was the perception of… one of the officers that was surrounded against the houses, that Thacker was kicking out at officers.”

Ms Linsley also said Thacker was forcefully told by officers to move back which he did though he continued to film police.

Mr Khalid Missouri, defending said: “He admitted that conduct in an interview.”

The court also heard that Thacker was the front seat passenger of a car which was stopped after the disorder and gave police a fake name and failed to confirm his identity until he was told his fingerprints would be put through the system.

Thacker has five previous convictions for nine offences ranging from criminal damage, theft, to possession with intent to supply cocaine for which he was jailed for 26 months 11 years ago.

During the unrest 12 police officers and a police dog were injured, cars were damaged, and families were left terrorised by the rioting which took place on Belmont Road, where Henry Nowak was murdered by Vickrum Digwa in December 2025.

Addressing Thacker, Judge William Mousley KC said: “You were involved in the disorder on Belmont Road closely following officers.

“You kicked out towards a police officer which made contact with a bin which made contact with officers.”

Judge Mousley said the fact that Thacker wasn’t “making violence directly at the police” and that he moved away was “almost a mitigating factor”.

Thacker also apologised in a police interview, which Judge Mousley said was a mitigating factor.

Mariusz Szczyglo, 45, of Grove Road in Southampton was also due to be sentenced after admitting violent disorder but this was adjourned until July 29.

Daily Post