Two men are charged with violent disorder offences over Henry Nowak protests in Southampton

Two men have been charged following uproar in Southampton following the sentencing of Henry Nowak’s killer.

Matt Styler, 50, is charged with assaulting a police officer, while Daniel Frost, 44, is charged with violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon.

The city was rocked by violent protests on Tuesday evening, in which 11 police officers and a police dog were injured.

The unrest comes after Vickrum Digwa, 23, was sentenced to at least 21 years in prison on Monday after stabbing Henry to death last year.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police came under intense scrutiny for their actions after handcuffing Henry and ignoring his pleas that he had been stabbed and couldn’t breathe.

Digwa had lied to police about being the victim of a racist attack at the hands of Henry.

The incident is now being investigated by police watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) and the force’s Chief Constable Alexis Boon has apologized to Henry’s family.

Hundreds of people, including far-right activists such as Tommy Robinson, descended on Southampton on Tuesday, despite Henry’s father, Mark Nowak, pleading before the court on Monday that his son’s murder should not be used to “create further hatred, division or tension”.

Protests in Southampton followed the murder of Henry Nowak (pictured) in December last year.

The protest began outside Southampton Police Station before approaching Digwa’s family home, where rubbish bins were set on fire and residents’ cars were vandalised.

Speaking at Prime Minister’s Questions yesterday, Sir Keir Starmer described the demonstrations as ‘disgraceful and completely unacceptable’.

The Prime Minister said: ‘Henry Nowak’s family showed extraordinary dignity after their son’s life was stolen in appalling circumstances.

He was clearly a kind, thoughtful and much-loved young man.

‘There are serious questions that need to be answered, including how accusations of racism affect police thinking, and we support the IOPC to get to the bottom of what is going on.

‘But whatever pain we feel, there is no justification for further violence and disorder. ‘The attacks on police officers in Southampton last night were disgraceful and completely unacceptable.’

Sir Keir added that anyone found involved in the disorder would be dealt with “to the full force of the law”.

Styler, of no fixed abode, from Gosport, and Frost, of Northam Road, Southampton, will appear at Southampton Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

Vickrum Digwa (pictured), 23, was sentenced to a minimum of 21 years in prison on Monday after stabbing Henry to death.

CPS Wessex Deputy Crown Prosecutor Sophie Stevens said: ‘We have decided to prosecute Matt Styler for assault on an emergency worker.

‘Our out-of-hours team, CPS Direct, later also reported that Daniel Frost had been charged with violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon – this follows an investigation into allegations of crime following protests in Southampton on Tuesday evening.

‘Our prosecutors worked to establish that there was sufficient evidence for the case to proceed to trial and that it was in the public interest to pursue criminal prosecution.

‘We worked closely with Hampshire Police as they carried out their investigation.’

This is breaking news. More to follow.