Two men have been jailed for violent disorder after throwing a traffic cone and a smoke grenade at police during a protest in Southampton. The protest followed the murder of 18-year-old Henry Nowak and took place on June 2.
Sentencing at Southampton Crown Court
Leon O'Leary, 41, and Connor Bishop, 24, were sentenced at Southampton Crown Court on Tuesday, a day after pleading guilty to violent disorder at the city's magistrates' court. The protest involved around 1,000 people, including local residents and leaders of Ukip and Britain First. The court heard that the Portsmouth branch of the National Rebirth Party and others were called to attend by far-right influencers such as Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson.
The Protest and Disorder
The protest began at 6pm outside central Southampton police station, in response to the circumstances surrounding Mr Nowak's death and police actions. Anger erupted after a police body-worn video was released showing Mr Nowak being handcuffed moments before he became unconscious and died. The court heard that around 600 to 700 protesters moved from the police station towards Belmont Road, where Mr Nowak was fatally stabbed. By 8pm, the crowd was increasingly aggressive.
Judge William Mousley KC described the group as a mob, stating that individuals in the violent crowd had the option to leave or encourage others to desist from violence. Video footage showed protesters pursuing officers, throwing chairs and other items, kicking at officers with riot shields, and pushing a burning commercial bin on wheels towards the police cordon.
O'Leary's Actions
Footage showed O'Leary walking casually in the crowd, picking up a smoke grenade from the ground and throwing it towards police. He was also sentenced for resisting a police officer and possession of an offensive weapon—a samurai sword found in his bedroom. O'Leary claimed he had owned the sword for 20 years for decoration and was unaware of changes in the law regarding ownership.
Bishop's Actions
Connor Bishop, from Southampton, was seen in footage wearing a black jumper with the words 'boys get sad too' on the back, carrying a yellow traffic cone which he threw towards officers. The court heard that he pursued officers with the cone, picked it up again after throwing it, and also admitted to throwing a box of screws and punching a wall—actions not captured on footage. Bishop told officers he was raised Christian and threw items to fit in with the crowd, adding that he had drunk a small amount of beer which made him more aggressive.
Defending Bishop, Thomas Evans said he was an example of peer pressure and group thinking, adding that Bishop expressed remorse, stating he was 'just being a dick' and wanted to fit in. Evans argued that O'Leary and Bishop were not instigators but the inevitable result of others harnessing anger.
Sentences
O'Leary was sentenced to three years and one month in prison for the three offences. Bishop was jailed for two years and eight months.
Other Defendant
Teenager Jordan Hambleton, 19, from Southampton, who threw a wheelie bin, traffic cone, metal chair leg, and an e-scooter at police officers, also appeared in court. His case was adjourned for a pre-sentence report due to his age and lack of previous convictions. Hambleton wore a distinctive bucket hat during the disorder and was identified in footage. Upon arrest on June 6, he denied being there and made no comment in police interview. He will be sentenced at a later date.
