Teen who hurled object at police at Henry Nowak protest avoids jail

A man who threw an “unidentified item” at police during the protests following the murder of Henry Nowak has been handed a suspended sentence.

Riley Hawkins, 18, of Oxford Road, Southampton was sentenced to 15 months imprisonment, suspended for two years, at Southampton Crown Court on Tuesday, July 28.

During the protests on St Denys Road on June 2, 12 police officers were injured, property was damaged and residents were terrorised.

Sentencing Hawkins, Judge William Mousley KC said: “Your involvement in this was to be near the cordon in St Denys Road you were with someone else.

He added: “During that time, you threw a large item, not identified, towards the police cordon.

“You were subsequently identified, arrested and questioned by police.

“You denied having thrown anything despite being shown the footage.”

The court was shown a video of the protest during which Hawkins can be seen launching the item in the direction of the police while the mob were jeering at a helicopter.

The court also heard how Hawkins admitted to smoking cannabis before the protest but said this did not affect his behaviour.

Ms Siobhan Linsley, prosecuting said: “Once the crowd built up in front of the police cordon, he was captured on footage throwing a large unidentified item towards police.”

She added that Hawkins was arrested on June 29 and that during a police interview he said, “I didn’t throw nothing”.

Ms Audrey Archer, defending, said: “This defendant would benefit from the rehabilitation activity requirement (RAR) of some 30 days.

“He is eager to uptake that type of involvement with the probation service and is grateful for it.”

She added: “He was contacted by the King’s Trust to engage with positive activities and meaningful work going forward.”

He has also completed a cannabis awareness course since his arrest.

Deciding on a suspended sentence, Judge Mousley KC said: “You had no previous convictions, and I have read about the disruption you have experienced during your life so far.

“Your neurodiversity and associated problems and borderline mental health disorders are mitigating factors.”

Hawkins was also fined £500 and was given a RAR of up to 30 days.

Judge Mousley reminded Hawkins that if he commits a criminal offence, fails to pay the fine or breaches his RAR he will be brought before the courts again.

Vickrum Digwa received life in prison with a minimum term of 21 years for the murder of Henry Nowak while his mum, Kiran Kaur, received a three year sentence for assisting the murderer.

A total of 33 people have been charged as a result of violent disorder in the protests which took place on June 2.

The protests began at Southampton Central Police Station before heading to St Denys Road in Portswood, close to the site where Henry Nowak was murdered and the Digwa family home.

During the protests items were thrown at police including bricks, bottles and others as well as a bin being set on fire and pushed towards the police cordon.

Daily Echo