Eleven police officers were injured during a disturbance in Southampton that erupted after the sentencing of a man for the murder of 18-year-old Henry Nowak. Daniel Frost, 44, from Southampton, has admitted throwing bins at officers and arming himself with a makeshift knuckle duster during the disorder.
Court Proceedings
Frost appeared before a district judge on Thursday, where he pleaded guilty to violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon. The court heard that Frost had thrown dustbins and a chair at police officers during the protest in the Portswood area. Prosecutor Nola Bond stated: “He had around his neck a dog lead with a carabiner and wrapped it around his knuckles and taunted police officers to come and take it off him.”
Judge Callaway deemed the offences too serious for a magistrates court and sent the case to Southampton Crown Court for sentencing in July. The court was informed that Frost has 25 previous convictions, including four public disorder offences, possession of a bladed article, and threatening and abusive behaviour.
Defence solicitor Oliver O’Connor described Frost as a vulnerable man who lives alone with his dog and receives Personal Independence Payment (PIP) due to a serious fall that led to a hip replacement. O’Connor said: “He is at pains to tell the court of his shame of his involvement, one of the biggest regrets in his life.”
Other Defendant
A second protester, 50-year-old army veteran Matt Styler from Gosport, near Southampton, pleaded not guilty to kicking a police sergeant. Both men were remanded in custody.
Background to the Disorder
The disorder broke out after a protest outside Southampton Central police station, which was attended by far-right activist Tommy Robinson. The protest followed the sentencing of Vickrum Digwa for the murder of Henry Nowak. Digwa claimed he had been racially abused and assaulted by Nowak before stabbing him. Nowak was handcuffed by police as he lay dying from stab wounds.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), has urged the public to stop speculating about the circumstances of Nowak’s death. Director Derrick Campbell said: “We are acutely aware of the public interest in this case. We would respectfully ask people to stop speculating on an ongoing live investigation. This investigation is going to fully establish the circumstances of the case including whether there may be misconduct on the part of any of the officers involved.”
Campbell added that ongoing commentary risks prejudicing any potential processes and preventing Henry Nowak’s family from getting the answers they deserve.
Family Response
After Digwa was jailed, Nowak’s father, Mark, condemned the “inhumane and degrading” treatment of his son by police but stated: “We do not want his death to be used to create further division, hatred or tension. We want his story to help make our streets safer for everyone.”
Inquest Details
At a hearing at Winchester Coroner’s Court, area coroner Jason Pegg confirmed that Nowak’s inquest would be held before a jury. The inquest will analyze the actions of the police who attended the scene of his death. Pegg said: “The issue in this case is likely to be whether any act or omission by a police officer, or any delay in the treatment Henry received, caused or contributed to death. When Henry Nowak died he had been arrested. He was in the custody of the state.”
Pegg noted that the inquest would examine broader circumstances beyond how the death occurred. He set a date for September next year for the inquest but indicated it could be brought forward.
