Three men who pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Henry Nowak protest appear in court for sentencing
Two men from Havant, and one from Gosport, were charged for their violent involvement in the protests.
Three men who committed offences during the Henry Nowak protests in Southampton have appeared in court.
On June 2, Reece Robinson, Noah Etherington and Taylor Grundy were all arrested following a demonstration outside Southampton Police Station, by the Southampton Patriots group.
Robinson, 21, of Soberton Road, Havant; Etherington, 18, of Rowbury Road, Havant; and Grundy, 22, of Gosport, each pleaded guilty to one count of violent disorder. Today (Wednesday, June 10) they appeared at Southampton Crown Court for sentencing.
The court heard how the protest was organised after Vikrum Digwa was sentenced for the murder of teenager Henry Nowak. Digwa, 23, was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 21 years.
Officers who arrived on the scene after Digwa stabbed Mr Nowak with a 21cm blade initially arrested the 18-year-old instead, after Digwa told a “wicked lie” and told them he had been the victim of a racist attack.
Mr Nowak was in handcuffs when he collapsed and became unconscious, before dying despite first aid efforts.
Judge William Moulsey KC was told that once protesters reached Portswood, a speaker began talking about chasing Digwa’s family out of the city, with chants of “get them out”. Police went ahead and set up police cordons to protect residents in St Deny’s Road.
Robinson, who has no previous convictions, threw two stones. Prosecutor Siobhan Linsley said he threw these at the police cordon. Other protesters had brought glass bottles and bricks with them in carrier bags.
He was arrested at his home, where her told police “I didn’t really do much”. He gave “no comment” answers to police when interviewed.
In mitigation, Judge Mousley KC was told that Robinson pleaded guilty at the first opportunity, and is the only defendant related to the protests with a “clean record” - having never received so much as a parking ticket. He is not a member of any far-right groups and attended the protest out of curiosity, in a “moment of madness”.
As for Grundy, the court heard how he travelled from Gosport with three friends. His charges came about from being part of hurling a communal bin at the police cordon, as well as throwing pieces of wood at officers.
Etherington, 18, had his sentencing adjourned for a pre-sentence report to be produced for the judge. He has been remanded in custody, and will next appear in court on Tuesday, June 30.
Sentencing, Judge Mousley KC said: “This part of Portswood is a residential area for families, and also accommodation for vulnerable adults and children. A number of officers were surrounded and a significant disorder broke out, with makeshift projectiles such as bricks, bins and chairs being thrown.
“Officers maintained a line with riot shields; at different points of the disorder, the cordon moved up and down St Deny’s Road, coming under constant assault from projectiles as well as physical threats. Twelve police officers were injured, a police dog was attacked and injured, members of the public also.
“The disorder caused serious fear, distress and a genuine sense of danger to residents in the area, as well as significant damage to the public purse. There was some planning or pre-meditation to the disorder, which was also sustained.
“Individuals part of that violent crowd had plenty of opportunity to leave, or distance themselves, from the violence.”
Robinson was sentenced to two years in prison, while Grundy was jailed for two and a half years - the latter weeping as his sentence was read out in the dock.