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

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

Daniel Frost, 44, of Southampton, was jailed for two years and four months and Reece Robinson, 21, of Havant, received a two-year sentence. Taylor Grundy, 22, of Gosport, was handed two and a half years in jail.

Andrew Summerhayes, 38, of Romsey, was jailed for three years and two months, while Dillon Crawford, 29, of Southampton received a three-year jail sentence.

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.

Twelve police officers and a police dog were injured in the disorder as missiles including wheelie bins and chairs were thrown.

Judge William Mousley KC, who had also precided over Digwa’s trial, told Southampton Crown Court that the violence was a “hate crime, borne out of hatred of the police and in some cases racist views”.

The court heard father-of-two Daniel Frost, originally from Cornwall, admitted possessing a dog lead with a metal carabiner as an offensive weapon, during the disorder.

The judge said Frost threw two chairs and a bin into the road and carried a dog lead which had been adapted to use as an offensive weapon.

The court heard the defendant had later referred to the incident as “today’s fun” and a “big party”.

Reece Robinson’s defence lawyer, Bridget O’Hagan, said he had a “completely clear record, not even a parking ticket”.

Judge Mousley said Robinson had “brought shame” on his family as the court heard he was at the front of the crowd, close to the police cordon and threw two stones or bricks at officers.

Prosecutor Siobhan Linsley told the court Andrew Summerhayes, who had 25 previous convictions for 45 offences, “rammed” a large bin into the police.

His defence said he had a two-year-old daughter “who benefits from a close and active relationship with her father”.

Judge Mousley said he was “at the forefront of serious public disorder”.

The court heard Taylor Grundy had two previous convictions and was currently under a community order for driving while disqualified and having no insurance.

Video played in court, showed him sitting on top of a wall before disappearing, apparently to pick up pieces of wood and throw them at police, the prosecutor said.

Linsley added that he also pushed a communal wheelie bin towards officers in a separate incident.

Dillon Crawford, was described as “enthusiastically and aggressively” pushing his way to the front of the crowd to get to retreating police in Belmont Road.

He threw a brown bin and a metal chair “with some force” at the officers, the court was told.

The court also heard Crawford had 19 previous convictions for 33 offences and on one occasion, he broke a partner’s front teeth, punched her unconscious and when she woke up told her he had put bleach in her hair.

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 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 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, leading 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

Daniel Frost, who was jailed for two years and four months, and Reece Robinson, who was jailed for two years, can be seen here in custody photos just released by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary.

They join Connor Bishop, who was sentenced to two years and eight months, and Leon O’Leary, who jailed for three years and one month, on Tuesday.

All four admitted violent disorder.

BBC News

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

Connor Bishop, 24, was sentenced to two years and eight months and Leon O’Leary, 41, was jailed for three years and one month. Both pleaded guilty to violent disorder at a previous hearing.

They are the first people to be sentenced after violence last Tuesday night saw 11 police officers and a police dog injured as missiles including wheelie bins and chairs were thrown.

The protest happened 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.

A total of 21 people, including Bishop, from Southampton, and O’Leary, from Basingstoke, have been charged in connection with the disorder.

Sikh Digwa stabbed Nowak with a large blade he said he carried for religious reasons, then lied to police at the scene, falsely claiming he was the victim of a racist attack, leading 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

A 28-year-old man has pleaded guilty to violent disorder after becoming the 21st person to be charged following a protest over the murder of Henry Nowak.

It followed the release of police bodycam footage showing the 18-year-old Southampton student handcuffed as he lay dying after being stabbed.

Denis Read, of Addison Road, Sarisbury Green, appeared at Southampton Magistrates’ Court where he entered his plea to the single charge. His case was sent to Southampton Crown Court for sentencing on 12 June and he was remanded in custody until then.

Eleven police officers and a police dog were injured as missiles including wheelie bins and chairs were thrown at officers.

Hampshire Constabulary said on Tuesday that a 16-year-old boy from Southampton and a 39-year-old man from the city had been arrested on suspicion of violent disorder and had been bailed until September 8 pending further inquiries.

Twenty others have been charged in relation to the protest on 2 June and are in the court process.

It happened after the bodycam video was released with permission from the Nowak family.

It showed Henry Nowak, from Chafford Hundred in Essex, handcuffed as he lay dying after being stabbed by 23-year-old Vickrum Digwa who was jailed for life on 1 June for murder.

The clashes with police came amid tensions and scrutiny over why officers arrested and handcuffed Nowak.

BBC News

Eight men have pleaded guilty to violent disorder following a protest in Southampton over the murder of Henry Nowak.

The charges relate to incidents of disorder on Tuesday 2 June, in which eleven police officers and a police dog were injured as missiles including wheelie bins and chairs were thrown at officers in Southampton.

The protest happened after police bodycam footage was released showing Nowak, 18, from Essex, handcuffed as he lay dying after being stabbed by Vickrum Digwa, 23, who was jailed for life on 1 June.

Hampshire Constabulary said a total of 20 people had now been charged following the protests.

Nine people appeared at Southampton Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

Jordan Hambleton, 19, of Rollesbrook Gardens, Southampton pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Southampton on 2 June.

Leon O’Leary, 41 and of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to violent disorder. He also pleaded guilty to obstructing/resisting a constable and possession of an offensive weapon in a private place on Sunday in Basingstoke.

Tyler Burley, 18, of Shakespeare Avenue in Southampton, pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

Darren Medhurst, 36, of Carnation Road Southampton, also pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

All four will be sentenced at Southampton Crown Court on Tuesday.

Benjamin Jones, 23, of Locksley Road in Eastleigh, pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

Harley Haynes, 23, of Avenue Road, Southampton, pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

Callum Darch, 27, of St Blaize Road, Romsey, pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

Mariusz Szczyglo, 45 of Grove Road in Southampton, pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

The four will all be sentenced at Southampton Crown Court on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Kamil Josef Klonek, 33, of Lordswood Road in Southampton, who is charged with violent disorder, entered no plea.

The court heard he is alleged to have thrown a beer can towards police on 2 June.

He will appear at Southampton Crown Court for a plea and trial preparation hearing on Thursday.

Nowak, from Chafford Hundred, was fatally stabbed in Southampton in December by Digwa, who falsely claimed he had been racially abused and had acted in self-defence.

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

BBC News

Two men have pleaded guilty to violent disorder following a protest in Southampton over the murder of Henry Nowak.

Earlier police said a further six men have been charged in relation to the incident in which eleven police officers and a police dog were injured as missiles including wheelie bins and chairs were thrown at officers on Tuesday 2 June.

The protest happened after police bodycam footage was released showing Nowak, 18, from Essex, handcuffed as he lay dying after being stabbed by Vickrum Digwa, 23, who was jailed for life on 1 June.

Hampshire police said 20 people had now been charged following the protests.

Three people appeared at Southampton Magistrates’ Court on Monday and a further six are due before the court later.

Jordan Hambleton, 19, of Rollesbrook Gardens, Southampton pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Southampton on 2 June. He will be sentenced on Tuesday.

Leon O’Leary, 41 and of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to violent disorder. He also pleaded guilty to obstructing/resisting a constable and possession of an offensive weapon in a private place on Sunday in Basingstoke. He will be sentenced on Tuesday at Southampton Crown Court.

Kamil Josef Klonek, 33, of Lordswood Road in Southampton, who is charged with violent disorder, entered no plea. The court heard he is alleged to have thrown a beer can towards police on 2 June. He will appear at Southampton Crown Court for a plea and trial preparation hearing on Thursday.

Those charged and due to appear at Southampton Magistrates’ Court later are:

Benjamin Jones, 23, of Locksley Road, Eastleigh, who has been charged with violent disorder.

Tyler Burley, 18, of Shakespeare Avenue, Southampton, charged with violent disorder.

Mariusz Szczyglo, 45, of Grove Road, Southampton, charged with violent disorder.

Harley Haynes, 23, of Avenue Road, Southampton, charged with affray.

Two other men were charged on Sunday with violent disorder and will appear in court later:

Darren Medhurst, 36, of Carnation Road, Southampton

Callum Darch, 27, of St Blaize Road, Romsey

Nowak, from Chafford Hundred, was fatally stabbed in Southampton in December by Digwa, who falsely claimed he had been racially abused and had acted in self-defence.

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

BBC News

Three more men have been charged – and four men and a teenage girl arrested – following protests in Southampton over the murder of Henry Nowak.

Eleven police officers and a police dog were injured as missiles including wheelie bins and chairs were thrown in the city on Tuesday.

The protests erupted after police bodycam footage showing 18-year-old Nowak being placed in handcuffs was released after he had been stabbed by Vickrum Digwa, 23, who was jailed for life on Monday.

Hampshire police said Darren Medhurst, 36, and Jordan Hambleton,19, from Southampton, and Callum Darch, 27, from Romsey, have all been charged with violent disorder, bringing the total number of people charged to 14.

The three men most recently charged have been remanded into custody and are due to appear at Southampton Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

The force said four further men had been arrested on suspicion of violent disorder – three from Southampton aged 18, 34 and 45, along with a 41-year-old man from Basingstoke. They all remain in police custody.

A 16-year-old girl from the city, also arrested on suspicion of violent disorder, has been released on conditional police bail pending further inquiries.

To date, eight men have pleaded guilty to violent disorder, with one also having a dog lead with a metal carabiner as an offensive weapon. One man has denied assaulting a police officer.

On Saturday, Harry Varney, 34, and Dillon Crawford, 29, of Southampton, Taylor Grundy, 22, of Gosport and Andrew Summerhayes, 38, of Romsey, appeared at Southampton Magistrates’ Court.

They all admitted violent disorder and Summerhayes also pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing an offensive weapon in a public place.

In a separate hearing, Kevin Reeves, 31, and Andrew Riddett, 38, both from Southampton entered no plea to charges of violent disorder.

Connor Bishop, 24 from Southampton and Reece Robinson, 21, and Noah Etherington, 18, from Havant admitted violent disorder during magistrates’ court hearings in Southampton and Portsmouth on Friday.

Daniel Frost, 44, of Southampton, pleaded guilty on Thursday to violent disorder and possessing a dog lead with a metal carabiner as an offensive weapon following the protests.

Also on Thursday, 50-year-old Matt Styler, of Gosport, pleaded not guilty to assaulting a police officer.

Nowak, from Chafford Hundred in Essex, was fatally stabbed in Southampton in December by Digwa, who falsely claimed he had been racially abused and had acted in self-defence.

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

BBC News