Three men jailed for Southampton protest ‘blood-sport’ disorder
It follows the violent scenes in Southampton earlier this month
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.
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.
A total of 21 people have been charged with violent disorder following a demonstration of around 1,000 people outside central Southampton police station at 6pm 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. He lied to police claiming he was in fact the victim of a racist attack.
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.
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”.