Henry Nowak Southampton protesters jailed for violent disorder after being caught on viral footage
A judge has highlighted the “ironicity” of violent protesters being caught thanks to videos shared on social media by those taking part in the unrest in Southampton.
Judge William Mousley KC’s comments came as he handed down prison sentences to three more offenders, bringing the total to 13 so far.
During the sentencing hearing, Southampton Crown Court was shown video footage of the disorder, including clips posted by some protesters on social media, as well as police body-worn video and aerial drone footage.
Judge Mousley said: “It is ironic that many of these criminals were caught and tried because people in the crowd were filming something they could not have foreseen at the time.”
A 36-year-old man also pleaded guilty to violent disorder by “throwing” a frying pan at officers.
Ryan Atkinson, 36, of Highcliff Avenue, Southampton, the 22nd person charged following the protest on June 2, entered his plea at Southampton Magistrates’ Court.
He was remanded in custody to be sentenced at the crown court on 29 June.
Three men were jailed for violent disorder during unrest following the murder of student Henry Nowak, a crown court heard.
Harry Varney, 34, of Southampton, was sentenced to three years in prison; Denis Read, 28, of Sarisbury Green, was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison; and Benjamin Jones, 23, of Eastleigh, were sentenced to two years and two months in prison.
The trial of Mariusz Szczyglo, 45, of Southampton, on the same charge was postponed pending sentencing on June 30.
Prosecutor Siobhan Linsley said Jones was filmed three times picking up rocks and throwing them at police and throwing rubbish at a parked car.
He added: “He was first seen moving very quickly down Belmont Road, shouting at riot officers as he filmed the chaos. He was filming a small number of police being chased by the roaring crowd.”
He said Jones had a previous conviction for criminal damage and common assault.
Stephen Tricker, representing Jones, said his client has ADHD and autism, expressed “sadness and regret” for his actions, and said attending the protest was an “impulsive decision”.
Ms Linsley said Read stood at the front of the “aggressive” crowd and could be seen kicking a bin and throwing an item at police at close range, but missed before throwing seven more items, including a glass bottle, small tree branches and a long piece of plastic.
He said Read, who was working in the kitchen, had four previous convictions for theft, possession of marijuana and possession of sharp objects.
Thomas Acworth, defending, said: “Denis Read knows what he did was wrong, Denis Read knows how stupid he was but he is sorry for what he did.”
Ms Linsley said Varney was filmed swearing and threatening police officers and punching their shields three times.
He said that he had a previous criminal record for assault.
Khalid Missouri, defending, said Varney had gone to Belmont Road to “pay his respects” to Mr Nowak and was not affiliated with any of the organizers of the demonstration.
He added that his client, who recorded what happened on his phone, became angry when he was pushed, and as a result, he dropped his phone and broke it.
He said: “He is not targeting the police for what they did to Henry Nowak, his reaction to this was triggered by the fall of something dear to him.”
Mr. Missouri added that Varney did not take footage to share with others because he did not have any social media profiles.
The court heard the demonstration, which drew 1,000 people, started outside Southampton Central Police Station, with around 150 people staying there before hundreds of people headed to the Portswood area where Mr Nowak was killed and the violence began.
The outrage had erupted after police released body-worn video showing Mr. Nowak being handcuffed moments before he lost consciousness and subsequently died.
Vickrum Digwa, 23, who lived with his family on a nearby road, was sentenced to at least 21 years in prison for the murder.
Court hearings were told that up to 13 police officers and a police dog were injured at the protest and one member of the public suffered a broken jaw.
The court heard the police operation involved 100 officers from nine different areas, costing £443,000 and costing the local council £7,000 to clean up.
Ten people have so far been jailed for the demonstration, which started outside Southampton Central Police Station on June 2 and attracted 1,000 people before hundreds moved to the Portswood area where Mr Nowak was killed and the violence began.
