Six additional people have been charged with violent disorder in Southampton following riots that broke out after the sentencing of Vickrum Digwa for the murder of 18-year-old Henry Nowak. This brings the total number of charges related to the disorder to 11, Hampshire Constabulary confirmed.
Those charged include Kevin Reeves, 31, Andrew Riddett, 38, Harry Varney, 34, Taylor Grundy, 22, and Dillon Crawford, 29, all accused of violent disorder. Andrew Summerhayes, 38, faces charges of violent disorder and two counts of possessing an offensive weapon in a public place. All are due to appear at Southampton Magistrates' Court on Saturday.
The protests erupted after Digwa, 23, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 21 years for stabbing Nowak, a University of Southampton student, five times in December. Anger was fuelled by the release of police bodycam footage showing Nowak being handcuffed moments before he lost consciousness and died.
The disorder began peacefully outside the city's central police station but escalated as hundreds marched to the neighbourhood where Digwa lived and Nowak died. By Wednesday, car windows were smashed and bricks littered the roads. Eleven officers and a police dog were injured, according to Chief Constable Alexis Boon.
Far-right activist Tommy Robinson addressed the crowd, which chanted slogans against the police. Henry Nowak's father, Mark Nowak, condemned his son's treatment but urged against using his death to create division. Prime Minister Keir Starmer echoed this, warning against the tragedy being hijacked by those seeking to divide the country.
