Exclusive:Henry Nowak protest: Charges against ex-soldier from Gosport are dropped following riots
A judge ruled that he should be discharged, with the court recording a not guilty verdict.
A former soldier charged following riots in Southampton has been released by the courts.
Matt Styler from Orange Road in Gosport had been charged with one count of assaulting a police officer, to which he had pleaded not guilty. The 50-year-old was arrested in connection to the Henry Nowak protests in Southampton on June 2.
The protest, held after Vikrum Digwa was jailed for life - with a minimum term of 21 years - for the murder of teenager Henry Nowak, started out peaceful, but turned violent as demonstrators headed towards St Denys Road, where 23-year-old Digwa had lived.
At the scene, bricks, glass, tree branches and more were thrown at police, while bins were also set alight, all in front of people’s homes.
Styler, a former member of the Parachute Regiment, appeared at Southampton Crown Court earlier today (Monday, June 29), having first appeared in court on June 17. Siobhan Linsley, prosecuting, told the the court that the prosecution was offering no evidence against the defendant.
As a result, Judge William Mousley KC ruled that the court would determine a not guilty verdict.
Styler has now been fully discharged by the court.