A woman has been bailed after admitting violent disorder after ugly scenes broke out following a protest over police treatment of murder victim Henry Nowak.

Bethany Davies appeared in the dock at Southampton Crown Court wearing a grey sweatshirt, having pleaded guilty in relation to the incident on June 2.

The court heard that 22-year-old Davies has a history of anti-police behaviour, having assaulted two officers when she was 18.

Davies, of Tennyson Road, Yarmouth, on the Isle of Wight, had attended the disorder with fellow Islander Teagan Sims but Bridget O’Hagan, mitigating, told the court that she had been unaware of it in advance.

Ms O’Hagan, mitigating, said that Davies had only been in Southampton to act as a model for 19-year-old Sims, of Purdy Road in Carisbrooke, who was studying a hair and beauty course, and she “didn’t want to let her down”.

Ms O’Hagan said: “She didn’t even know the protest was taking place on June 2.”

The case was adjourned so that a pre-sentence report could be prepared.

The part-time cafe worker became emotional when she was granted conditional bail similar to Sims, who has also admitted violent disorder.

Siobhan Linsley, prosecuting, argued against bail being granted, raising concerns about the defendant’s previous convictions.

The prosecutor said she had showed “hostility towards the police, and has acted on it on two occasions now”.

Judge William Mousley KC said: “On everything I have seen or read, this is an appropriate case for bail.

“I am not persuaded that the concerns that have been raised about committing further offences are unmanageable, even with conditions, so I will grant bail.”

Davies was granted conditional bail to live and sleep at an address in Yarmouth, not to attend any protest or gathering of more than three people, not to leave the island and not to contact Teagan Sims.

She will be sentenced on the same day as Sims at the same court, on August 7.

Addressing Davies, the judge added: “The fact I am giving you bail, you should not take as any indication or suggestion of what sentence will be on the next occasion.”

The disorder took place on June 2, the day after Vickrum Digwa, 23, of St Denys Road, was jailed for at least 21 years for murdering Henry Nowak, 18, in Belmont Road in December last year.

On June 2, a peaceful protest outside Southampton Central Police Station turned violent after hundreds of protesters marched more than two miles to Belmont Road in Portswood.

This road saw two hours of “significant disorder”, with projectiles and a flaming bin being thrown at the police.

Body-worn video footage had shown police arresting university student Henry who had been fatally stabbed. The police watchdog the IOPC is investigating two officers for gross misconduct.

Daily Echo

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

An Isle of Wight teenager has appeared in court in connection with disorder linked to the Henry Nowak protest in Southampton.

Teagan Sims, of Purdy Road, Carisbrooke, appeared before Southampton Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, June 27. The 19-year-old admitted violent disorder.

The court heard that on June 2 in Southampton, Sims used or threatened unlawful violence while with a group of people.

Her conduct was such that it “would have caused a person to fear for their personal safety”.

Hampshire and IW Constabulary confirmed the offence relates to the Henry Nowak protest held in the city.

Magistrates declined jurisdiction due to the seriousness of the offence and sent the case to Southampton Crown Court for sentencing.

Sims is due to appear before the crown court on Friday, July 3.

A pre-sentence report was ordered, and magistrates granted her conditional bail.

Her bail conditions state she must not attend any rally or protest, must not gather in a group of three or more people – except for employment purposes – and must not leave the Isle of Wight unless attending court or pre-arranged probation appointments.

Daily Echo

Kevin Reeves (Image: Erin Rhodes)

Two men involved in violent disorder following the murder of Henry Nowak have been jailed for a total of four years and 14 months.

Noah Etherington, 18, and Kevin Reeves, 31, were among three people sentenced at Southampton Crown Court on Tuesday for their part in what the judge described “widespread acts of violence”.

The third defendant, Tyler Burley, 18, was handed a suspended sentence.

During the unrest 12 police officers were injured, parked cars were damaged, and families were left terrorised by ugly scenes outside their homes.

Much of the violence took place on Belmont Road, where Mr Nowak was fatally stabbed by Vickrum Digwa after a night out in 2025.

Anger erupted after it emerged that Digwa falsely claimed to have been attacked by Mr Nowak, resulting the student being arrested and handcuffed by police as he lay dying in the street.

Burley, of Shakespeare Avenue in Southampton, Etherington, of Rowbury Road in Havant, and Reeves, of Portswood Road in Southampton all admitted violent disorder.

Siobhan Linsley, prosecuting, said Etherington threw three missiles at police, one of which appeared to be part of a brick. She added that Reeves also hurled missiles at officers, including part of a chair frame.

Reeves had 46 previous convictions for 87 offences, including burglary, battery and robbery, the court was told.

Bridget O’Hagan, mitigating for Etherington, said: “He got swept up in the emotion of a completely ridiculous incident that got completely out of hand and he bitterly regrets it.

“There was clearly adrenaline pumping. He is very disappointed in himself and has let his family down.”

Juliet Osborn, mitigating for Reeves, said the defendant became involved when the protest passed his house, adding: “He made a terrible and life-disrupting decision that day.”

Reeves was jailed for three years and four months and Etherington was sent to a young offenders’ institution for one year and ten months.

Ms Linsley said Burley threw at least eight items at police, including a branch. He later told police he got “carried away” and expressed remorse.

Audrey Archer, mitigating for Burley, said the defendant suffered a traumatic childhood and had also lived through “tragic circumstances”.

Referring to the offence he committed she said: “It has taken away his good character. He accepts full responsibility.”

Judge William Mousley KC cited Burley’s prospects of rehabilitation and the weeks he had already spent in custody. He was sentenced to 18 months in a young offenders institution, suspended for two years.

Referring to the events of June 2, the judge said a “mob” carried out widespread acts of violence which caused fear, distress, and disturbance.

The court has heard that around 1,000 people gathered outside Southampton Central Police Station the day after Digwa was jailed for a least 21 years for Henry Nowak’s murder.

The University of Southampton student was fatally stabbed in Belmont Road – a short distance from the Digwa family home on St Denys Road.

The protest turned violent after hundreds of those taking part marched more than two miles to Portswood amid shouts of “Do you want the house?” and “Get them out”.

An incorrect address began circulating among the protesters, raising fears that an innocent family would be targeted.

During the violence that followed, 12 police officers and a police dog were injured, largely as a result of being pelted with bricks and rocks.

In a victim personal statement, British Transport Police officer Ruby Stephenson said: “At one point I didn’t think we’d make it out alive, or without serious injury.

“I have never experienced such violence or hatred towards police.”

The policing operation involved specially-trained officers from across the south, including Kent, Surrey, and Sussex, and cost £443,000. Southampton City Council spent £6,700 on clean-up tasks and other costs.

Daily Echo

Ryan Atkinson has been jailed for two years for violent disorder (Image: Hampshire police)

A former soldier who has completed two tours of Afghanistan in the Army threw a frying pan at police during the Henry Nowak protest in Southampton.

Ryan Atkinson has been jailed for two years after being part of a “mob” that pursued police on Belmont Road – near the scene of Mr Nowak’s murder.

Southampton Crown Court heard that Atkinson, 36, picked up a frying pan in the street and threw it at a police line, narrowly missing officers.

Later he stood in a garden outside a block of flats and repeatedly punched police riot shields as officers stood in the street below.

The disorder took place on June 2 – the day after Vickrum Digwa, 23, was jailed for at least 21 years for murdering Mr Nowak, 18, in Belmont Road in December last year.

Anger erupted after it emerged the student was arrested and handcuffed by police as he lay dying in the street. The officers initially believed Digwa when he lied about being the victim of a racially aggravated assault.

It took officers eight minutes to discover that Mr Novak had been stabbed by Digwa, who was then arrested but not handcuffed.

A peaceful protest outside Southampton Central Police Station turned violent after hundreds of those present marched more than two miles to Belmont Road, which witnessed two hours of “significant disorder”.

Siobhan Linsley, prosecuting, said there were shouts of “Do you want the Digwa address?” and “Get them out”.

She added that Atkinson, of Highcliff Avenue, was dressed in a khaki camouflage-style jacket and a beanie hat. He spotted a frying pan, picked it up, and was “almost skipping down the street” as protesters pursued police.

The court heard that the policing operation cost £443,000, with officers being drafted in from across the south, including London.

Stephen Tricker, mitigating for Atkinson, said his client made full admissions to police when interviewed in the aftermath of the protest.

“He was genuinely remorseful. He accepted he got caught up in the moment. He says that if he could turn the clock back he would not repeat his actions.”

Mr Tricker said Atkinson had spent four years in the army, including two tours Afghanistan.

Judge William Mousley KC said the defendant was an active participant in direct acts of violence, which included bricks, chairs, and other objects being hurled at police.

Daily Echo

A court hearing for a woman who admitted throwing a stone at police in the Henry Nowak disorder erupted into shouts of obscenities when she was denied bail.

District Judge Stephen Apted ordered Amanda McCartney into the cells when he remanded her in custody following her guilty plea to violent disorder on the night of June 2 in Southampton.

The 52-year-old, of Inverness Road in Fratton, Portsmouth, had thrown a stone towards officers at a police cordon and sworn at them, calling them “scum” and other terms, a court heard.

But onlookers in the public gallery at Southampton Magistrates’ Court erupted into shouts of “two-tier justice” and “you’re a disgrace” when her application for bail was rejected.

As the judge denied her bail, a woman in the public gallery shouted: “She might have cancer, she needs treatment, this is two-tier justice, you’re a disgrace.”

Another woman, who sounded close to tears, said: “She’s the nicest lady in the world you nutters.”

Among a series of obscenities directed at the prosecutor and judge, further shouts of “she might have cancer” and “I hope you feel proud prosecutor” erupted from the public gallery.

Natalie Dennington, defending, had earlier told the court that her client was not involved in the worst of the disorder and left the scene early.

As reported, a protest started at Southampton Central Police Station involving 1,000 people before demonstrators turned violent in Portswood close to killer Vickrum Digwa’s home.

McCartney was on crutches at the time and positioned at the front of the protest earlier in the evening and was not seen on CCTV during the more violent later stages of the incident, Ms Dennington said.

In a bail application, Ms Dennington said: “She said she was embarrassed and she then left the scene and did not stay for what took place.”

She said that McCartney has a strong standing in the community, is considered of good character, and had been arrested nearly two weeks after the protest at her home.

The court also heard that McCartney, who lives with her son, had recently undergone tests for cancer and was worried that being taken into custody could affect her access to treatment.

District Judge Apted did not grant McCartney bail and referred the case to Southampton Crown Court for sentencing.

Thomas Thacker, 35, of Portchester Road in Southampton also pleaded guilty to violent disorder and was remanded in custody ahead of sentencing at the crown court.

Both Thacker and McCartney are due to be sentenced on June 30.

Violence broke out over the bodycam footage showing police arresting 18-year-old Henry after he had been fatally stabbed by Digwa, 23, of St Denys Road, Portswood. Digwa was jailed for life for the murder with a minimum term of 21 years.

Daily Echo

A teenager charged with violent disorder after rioting broke out at a Southampton protest has been released on bail – but has been banned from going to protests.

Callum Cool, who threw a bottle at police during the violence on June 2, must not attend any protest or gathering with more than ten people while on bail before his sentencing at the end of the month.

Appearing at Southampton Magistrates’ Court on Monday morning, Cool saw his case adjourned until June 29, when he will be sentenced at the city’s crown court.

Cool, 18, of Robinia Green, Southampton, pleaded guilty to violent disorder during the hearing.

Varun Chuni, prosecuting, said the defendant threw a bottle at a police line during the disturbances that broke out on June 2.

Clare Rose, for Cool, described the defendant as an “incredibly bright young man” who lived locally with his family.

She added that Cool was only 17 at the time he committed the offence, adding that he had no previous convictions.

She said Cool had spent three days in custody, adding: “This has been a taste of what might lie ahead for him.”

District Judge Robinson released him on conditional bail, saying he must live and sleep at his home address and comply with an electronically monitored curfew between 6pm and 1am.

Cool was also ordered not to attend any protest or gathering involving more than ten people.

The demonstration, which involved 1,000 people, started outside Southampton Central Police Station before hundreds moved on to the Portswood area where student Henry Nowak was fatally stabbed last December.

Anger erupted after police body-worn video was released showing Mr Nowak being placed in handcuffs moments before he became unconscious and subsequently died.

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.

Daily Echo

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

It brings the total to 13 men jailed over the disorder last week during which 12 police officers and a police dog were injured.

Denis Read, 28, of Addison Road, Sarisbury Green, was jailed for two years and two months, Harry Varney, 24, of Briarswood, Southampton, was jailed for two years and eight months, and Benjamin Jones, 23, of Locksley Road, Eastleigh, was jailed for three years.

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.

Digwa, 23, was jailed for life with a minimum term of 21 years.

Read, Varney and Jones admitted the offence at Southampton Magistrates’ Court and were sentenced by Judge William Mousley KC at Southampton Crown Court.

The sentencing of Mariusz Szczyglo, 45, of Grove Road, Southampton, was adjourned until 30 June.

The court heard previously 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 22 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 in December 2025, 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.

It lead 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

Three men have been jailed for their parts in violent disorder that erupted on the streets of Southampton.

Harry Varney, 34, Denis Read, 28 and Benjamin Jones, 23, were all sentenced at Southampton Crown Court, having admitted to violent disorder during the protest reacting to the Henry Nowak case on June 2.

The court heard how Jones had punched out at a police riot shield and how Read and Jones threw projectiles at the police.

Prosecutor Siobhan Linsley said that Harry Varney, of Briarswood, Southampton, was identified by his “Donald Pump” vest and was videoed chasing retreating officers, pointing aggressively and kicking a bin.

He later leaned on police riot shields while filming himself, acting aggressively and punching a riot shield multiple times.

He has a previous conviction in 2023 for domestic assault.

Khalid Missouri, mitigating for Varney, told the court that his client hadn’t been recording for social media or for “pride”, but because he felt he had been assaulted by police.

He added that Varney will lose his job of ten years as a result of this case.

Benjamin Jones, of Locksley Road, Eastleigh, picked up three stones and threw them at the police and kicked a bin into a parked car.

The prosecutor says that Jones picked up three stones and threw them at police, before turning and chatting to others in the crowd as if he was on a “day out”.

Stephen Tricker, mitigating for Jones, read a letter from his client which said: “If I could turn back time, I wouldn’t have been there.”

Jones attended the disorder in “spur of the moment”, added Mr Tricker.

Turning to Read, of Addison Road in Sarisbury Green, Ms Linsley said he was among those who chased the retreating officers, including picking up rubbish from a spilt bin to throw.

Later, he entered a garden overlooking the junction of the police cordon on St Denys Road.

The prosecutor says he threw seven items down at the police line, including a glass bottle and plastic.

He also threw soil over a police van.

Thomas Acworth, mitigating for Read, who he said became “overtaken” by what was happening during the disorder.

Mr Acworth said that the disorder was the result of “cycnical” use of a tragedy for the aims of others against the wishes of Henry Nowak’s family, adding his client’s participation was “unbelievably stupid”.

Judge William Mousley KC sentenced Jones to two years and two months imprisonment, Read to two years and eight months imprisonment, and Varney to three years imprisonment.

Mariusz Szczyglo, 45, of Grove Road, Southampton, had also been due to be sentenced at the same time, but as he didn’t have legal representation, so his sentencing was adjourned until June 30.

Daily Echo

Members of Flag Force Plymouth and counter protestors faced off in Plymouth city centre

Police have confirmed that a man arrested at a protest in Plymouth’s city centre in April later entered into an out-of-court agreement.

Social media was awash with footage taken on April 25 regarding a man who was captured on camera struggling with police as he was arrested for an alleged assault on another man.

The incident took place during the protests at Old Town Street, which has become the new protest base since the temporary closure of footpaths around the Sundial in Armada Way.

The event saw members of Flag Force Plymouth – who describe themselves as “celebrating Plymouth’s heritage and bringing our community together through the proud display of our national flags” – waving St George and Union flags while counter protestors – made up of a number of differing groups including Antifa – shouted “Nazi scum, off our streets”.

The footage, shared by Plymouth – UK Anti-Fascists’ Facebook page, showed a number of officers detaining a male who wore a sleeveless black top which bore a red Christian cross.

Prior to this, he had been captured on video, shown on another social media page, shouting through a small megaphone at an older man regarding the issue of Palestine.

Devon and Cornwall Police have now confirmed that the man had been arrested during the incident but was not charged with any offence.

A spokesperson for the force said: “A 33-year-old man from Plymouth was arrested on suspicion of assault by beating on Saturday 25 April.

“He was dealt with via Community Resolution Order and had to complete diversionary courses as part of that.”

The same man was recently seen protesting with others outside Charles Cross police station, wearing a Captain America-style helmet, a blue stab vest and a plastic police-style riot shield with a large “Flag Force Plymouth” sticker.

According to other social media sites, the protest was to show outrage over Hampshire Police’s actions on the night 18-year-old Henry Nowak was murdered.

Vickrum Digway, aged 23, repeatedly stabbed the 18-year-old student, initially claiming Henry had attacked him.

Nowak repeatedly told officers at the scene who handcuffed him that he had been stabbed and could not breathe as he lay dying, Southampton Crown Court previously heard.

Last week Digwa was given a life sentence after being found guilty of Henry’s murder, and ordered to serve a minimum tariff of 21 years. Hampshire Police is currently being investigated by police watchdog IOPC and a full inquest into the circumstances of Henry’s death will take place at a later date.

Plymouth Herald