Three more individuals have been charged with violent disorder following protests in Southampton over the murder of Henry Nowak. Connor Bishop, 24, of Southampton; Reece Robinson, 21, of Havant; and Noah Etherington, 18, of Havant, were set to appear at Southampton Magistrates' Court on Friday, Hampshire Police confirmed.
The protests erupted after the sentencing of Vickrum Digwa, 23, who received a life sentence with a minimum of 21 years for the murder of 18-year-old Nowak in December. Anger was fueled by the release of police body-worn footage showing Nowak being handcuffed moments before he lost consciousness and later died from stab wounds.
The treatment of the student from Essex sparked a political row, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer urging politicians to heed the teenager's family's calls not to use his death “to cause disturbances”. Starmer met Nowak's family on Thursday, describing the conversation as “profoundly humbling”. He called for unity over hatred, stating Nowak “deserves a legacy that goes beyond this awful tragedy”.
Starmer also criticised Nigel Farage's response, who said the murder should be met with “rage”, calling it unforgivable. Farage, leader of Reform UK, rejected the criticism, insisting he condemned “all violence” and had agreed to meet Nowak's family.
