Three jailed for violence at Henry Nowak police protest

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

Darren Medhurst, 36 of Carnation Road, Southampton was jailed for three years and three months, while Callum Darch, 27, of St Blaize Road, Romsey and Harley Haynes, 23, of Avenue Road, Southampton received two-and-a-half year sentences.

A total of 12 people have so far been sentenced over the disorder during which 12 police officers and a police dog were injured.

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

Passing sentence at Southampton Crown Court, Judge William Mousley KC said: "Local residents were subjected to fear, distress and a genuine sense of danger."

Mousley, who had also precided over Digwa's trial,repeated his conclusion from previous hearings that the violence was "hate crime, borne out of a hatred of the police and in some cases racist views".

Prosecutor Edward Culver told the court Darren Medhurst had played a "leading role" in the disorder, throwing two items at police and lighting a burning bin that was propelled towards officers.

His sentence of three years and three months is a month more than the previous longest sentence passed over the disorder.

The court heard that Medhurst, had 51 previous convictions for 96 offences, including handling stolen goods, burglary and shoplifting.

Harley Haynes was shown in video footage with a black hood over his head.

The court was told he threw a number of objects including a brick and several pieces of glass.

One piece hit a lamppost and shattered, showering people with glass, the prosecution said.

Haynes had nine convictions for 21 offences including theft, criminal damage and supplying cannabis.

His defence argued that his involvement in the protests was "a one-off - an impulsive decision".

Callum Darch threw a wheelie bin at police officers, the court heard.

Culver explained how it was "targeted directly at the police" and how the action inflamed and encouraged others in the crowd.

Kamil Josef Klonek of Lordswood Road, Southampton, became the first of the 21 defendants facing charges following the protest to plead not guilty.

Prosecutor Culver said Klonek was filmed in the "centre of the disturbance, chanting at police" and throwing a beer can.

The 33-year-old was refused bail and was remanded in custody. A trial date was fixed for 30 November.