Henry Nowak protests: Bricklayer jailed after lobbing bin at bystander during violent Henry Nowak disorder

A bricklayer who threw a bin at bystanders during a demonstration in Southampton over the murder of student Henry Nowak is among the latest protesters to be jailed.

Darren Medhurst, 36, was sentenced to three years and three months in prison at Southampton Crown Court, along with Callum Darch, 27, and Harley Haynes, 23, who were also sentenced to two years and six months for violent disorder.

The case of Tyler Burley, 18, of Southampton, was adjourned for a pre-sentence report to be prepared and he was remanded in custody until his sentencing hearing on June 30.

Separately, excavator driver Kamil Klonek, 33, from Southampton, pleaded not guilty to charges of violent disorder, including throwing a beer can during the protest, and was remanded in custody until his trial begins on November 30.

A total of 21 people were charged with violent disorder after around 1,000 people demonstrated outside Southampton central police station at 6pm on 2 June to protest the circumstances surrounding Mr Nowak’s death and the actions of the police.

The outrage had erupted after police released body-worn video showing Mr. Nowak being handcuffed moments before he lost consciousness and subsequently died.

The court heard that 13 police officers and a police dog were injured and a member of the public suffered a broken jaw in violence as hundreds of people moved into the street where Mr Nowak was killed.

Vickrum Digwa, 23, who lived with his family on a nearby road, was sentenced to at least 21 years in prison for the murder.

The court heard the police operation involved 100 officers from nine different areas and cost £443,000, with the local council costing the local council £7,000 to clean up.

Prosecutor Edward Culver told the court that a police officer involved in the operation described protesters treating the disturbance as “a party or a blood sport” and that they feared “someone might get killed”.

Mr Culver said Darch, who worked as a bricklayer, was shown on video footage to throw a bin that hit a passerby during a disturbance in which a group of police officers were surrounded by protesters.

When the defendant was shown the footage during the police interrogation, he said he “felt upset and wanted to take a break.”

The prosecutor added that Darch had 10 convictions for 24 offences, including assaulting a police officer, possession of an offensive weapon, possession of cocaine and driving.

Rebecca McKnight, defending Darch, from Southampton, said: “To say he is disappointed in himself and ashamed of his actions is frankly an understatement, he is extremely remorseful.”

He said he overcame a previous drug problem to focus on raising his young son.

Mr Culver said Medhurst had a “leading role” in lighting up a commercial wheelie bin being pushed towards a police cordon and throwing two items at police, including a piece of tile and a tin can.

He added: “The police didn’t know what was in that bin, it could have been aerosols or deodorants.”

Mr Culver said Medhurst had 51 previous convictions for 91 offences, including burglary, theft, possession of class B drugs and criminal damage.

Stephen Tricker, defending Medhurst, said he had epilepsy and dyslexia and was the primary carer for his grandparents and aunt.

He said Medhurst was “apologetic” for his actions, adding: “What motivated Mr Medhurst to be there in the first place was the release of the footage of Henry Nowak’s arrest.”

Mr Culver told police Haynes threw several items, including broken bricks and glass, as well as at a citizen who recorded his actions.

He said Haynes had nine convictions for 29 offences, including theft, criminal damage, supply of cannabis and possession of ketamine.

Elliott Wright, defending Haynes, said he had autism, which meant he was “easily manipulated” and had “difficulty regulating himself in challenging situations”.

He said: “This is a one-off, impulsive decision, Mr Haynes did not mean to involve himself in a violent disorder, he got caught up in the situation and behaved disgracefully and accepts full responsibility.”

Sentencing the three defendants, Judge William Mousley KC said: “I am quite satisfied that this offense is so serious that an immediate custodial sentence can be imposed.”