Robert Scott admitted theft and criminal damage at Liverpool Crown Court

A man who stole a Deliveroo bag during an anti-migrant protest incriminated himself by posting a picture of it on his Facebook.

Robert Scott, 47, was accused of taking the bag from a rider’s bicycle during a Liverpool city centre protest following a stabbing in Belfast.

Scott, of Stanley Road in Bootle, appeared before Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday charged with theft of the bag; burglary of a dwelling with intent to cause criminal damage; and criminal damage. Appearing from HMP Liverpool via video link, Scott entered guilty pleas to theft and criminal damage.

The court heard the criminal damage related to the front door of the Richmond Hotel on Hatton Garden, which houses asylum seekers. The cost of the damage amounted to £240, the court heard.

Scott denied the burglary count after asking the judge: “I thought I was just getting done for criminal damage?” Caleb Suggitt, prosecuting, told the court that the Crown Prosecution Service would not be seeking a trial on the charge and it was ordered to lie on the file.

Following Scott’s guilty pleas we can now reveal that the day after the protest he posted a picture of the stolen Deliveroo bag on his Facebook page.

The bag had been plastered with pictures of Henry Nowak – the murdered Southampton student whose death prompted a wave of protests after police officers handcuffed him while dying – and a sticker which said: “Save our kids – security in schools.”

Scott’s picture was accompanied by the status: “Save our kids. Justice for Henry.”

Scott also posted a picture of a man, believed to be himself, with an emoji covering his face and the Deliveroo bag slung over his shoulder, clutching a cardboard sign which said: “Liverpool stands with Belfast.”

He also videoed the initial part of the protest on the steps outside St George’s Hall, showing several dozen people and a number of flags, before turning the camera on himself. He had his face covered but was wearing the same Nike cap as the man in the picture holding the bag and sign.

Judge Ian Unsworth KC, presiding, adjourned the case to allow for a pre-sentence report to be prepared. He told the defendant, who wore a grey Berghaus t-shirt and sported a shaved head: “Please do not read anything into the fact I have ordered the report.”

The judge told Scott: “This is plainly a serious matter,” before remanding him in custody to appear for sentence on August 13.

The ECHO previously reported that a crowd of 100 to 150 protesters gathered from around 7pm on June 9 before moving to other locations in the city centre. The protest was the day after a violent incident in Belfast which saw a suspect of Sudanese descent ultimately charged with attempted murder after a man was repeatedly stabbed.

During the evening, doors and windows were damaged at the Richmond Hotel and it was reported that a group of people had been chased down Dale Street while being verbally abused. The ECHO understands the protesters shouted “you’re going back home” towards takeaway delivery riders.

Liverpool command unit commander Natalie Perischine previously said: “Our officers respect the right of individuals to peacefully gather and express their views in accordance with the law, however, we will never tolerate any type of racism, violence or criminality on our streets.”

Scott’s social media shows significant anti-migrant and “anti-establishment” sentiment with posts including statements such as “no more illegals”, “raise the colours”, “never trust a copper” and “save our kids”.

Scott’s Facebook also showed he had said he was attending a protest outside Merseyside Police’s St Anne Street station the previous week in memory of Mr Nowak.

The 18-year-old’s case sparked outrage and protests after the release of police body-worn video which showed the student being placed in handcuffs moments before he became unconscious and subsequently died. His murderer, Vickrum Digwa, 23, was jailed for life to serve a minimum of 21 years.

Liverpool Echo

Six more men have been charged in connection with violent disorder that erupted in Southampton following a protest over the murder of student Henry Nowak.

The latest cases mean that 33 have now been charged, with Hampshire police saying they are continuing to pursue those involved.

Those who have already been put in front of the judge at Southampton Crown Court have seen prison sentences as long as three and a half years.

Now police have confirmed new charges.

Noah Barker, 19, of Derby Road, Southampton, has been charged with violent disorder and was remanded in custody to appear at Southampton Magistrates’ Court today, July 13.

Joshua Quinn, 29, of Sayers Road, Bishopstoke, has also been charged with violent disorder. He was remanded in custody and appeared before Southampton Magistrates’ Court on July 11.

Mark Gray, 25, of Mansbridge Road, Southampton, appeared before magistrates on July 7 charged with violent disorder. He was remanded in custody and is due to appear at Southampton Crown Court on August 4 for a plea hearing.

Three other men have already admitted violent disorder.

Allan Harcourt, 47, of Landguard Road, Southampton, appeared before magistrates on July 6, where he admitted violent disorder. He was remanded in custody and is due to appear at Southampton Crown Court on July 29.

Jarrad Wareham, 19, of Tatwin Crescent, Southampton, also admitted violent disorder when he appeared before magistrates on July 6. He was remanded in custody and will appear at Southampton Crown Court on July 29.

Riley Hawkins, 18, of Oxford Road, Southampton, admitted violent disorder when he appeared before magistrates on June 20. He was remanded in custody and is due to appear at Southampton Crown Court on July 28.

Around 1,000 people gathered for a protest following public anger over the murder of 18-year-old university student Henry Nowak and criticism of the police response to the incident.

As the evening progressed, violence flared, with bottles and other objects thrown at officers. Hampshire Constabulary said makeshift weapons were used and homes and vehicles belonging to residents were damaged.

Eleven police officers and one police dog were injured during the disorder.

Daily Echo

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