Three avoid jail for disorder after Henry Nowak protest

Three people who hurled projectiles at police during the disorder that followed the death of Henry Nowak have avoided immediate custody.

Callum Cool, 18, Teagan Sims, 19, and Bethany Davies, 23, admitted violent disorder at Southampton Crown Court and were sentenced.

More than 1,000 people gathered outside Southampton Central police station on June 2 to protest the police treatment and arrest of 18-year-old student Henry Nowak following his fatal stabbing.

As tensions escalated, hundreds marched to Portswood, where clashes with police broke out.

Prosecutor Siobhan Linsley said Cool threw a drinks can, a bottle and a bin at officers; he was 17 at the time and turned 18 four days later.

Sims and Davies, who attended the disorder together, also threw objects at police.

Footage filmed by a YouTuber and shown in court captured the pair being interviewed during the unrest.

One said: “Justice for Henry.”

Asked about police, one replied: “They should have done a better job because that is what they are paid for at the end of the day.”

Ms Linsley said Davies had a previous conviction for kicking two police officers when she was 18.

Referring to Sims and Davies, she added: “Quite clearly they are egging each other on.”

The court heard Cool, of Robinia Green in Southampton, Sims, of Purdy Road in Carisbrooke, and Davies, of Holmes Court, Tennyson Road, Yarmouth, had all pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.

Tom Evans, mitigating for Cool and Sims, said both had shown remorse, were willing to work with probation and had no previous convictions.

Bridget O’Hagan, mitigating for Davies, said her client had been traumatised by her time in custody after her arrest and had learning disabilities, ADHD and autism.

She added: “With the greatest respect she has absolutely no understanding of what two-tier justice is.”

Judge William Mousley KC suspended all three custodial sentences, citing their youth and personal circumstances.

Cool was sentenced to 16 months in a young offender institution, suspended for two years, and must complete 150 hours of unpaid work and obey a six-month curfew.

Sims was sentenced to 20 months in a young offender institution, suspended for two years, and must complete 120 hours of unpaid work, abstain from alcohol for 120 days and undertake 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

Davies was sentenced to two years in a young offender institution, suspended for two years, and must complete 120 hours of unpaid work, abstain from alcohol for 120 days, undertake 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days and obey a one-year curfew.

The protests followed revelations that police had initially handcuffed Henry while he was critically injured, after his alleged attacker falsely claimed he had been the victim of a racist attack.

Daily Echo