Two charged after Southampton disorder following murder sentencing

Two men have been charged in connection with the disorder that broke out in Southampton after the sentencing of a man for the murder of 18-year-old Henry Nowak.

Eleven police officers were injured in the disturbance, which took place close to the home of the killer, Vickrum Digwa.

Matt Styler, 50, has been charged with assaulting a police officer and Daniel Frost, 44, with violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon. They were to appear at Southampton magistrates court on Thursday.

Sophie Stevens, the deputy chief crown prosecutor for CPS Wessex, said the charges followed an investigation into alleged offending after protests held in Southampton on Tuesday evening.

She said: “Our prosecutors have worked to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring the case to court and that it is in the public interest to pursue criminal proceedings.”

Meanwhile, the police watchdog has urged people to stop speculating about the circumstances of Nowak’s death, who was handcuffed by police as he lay dying from stab wounds after Digwa claimed the teenager had racially abused and assaulted him.

The director of the Independent Office for Police Conduct, 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.

“The ongoing commentary about the evidence and speculation risks prejudicing any potential processes and preventing Henry Nowak’s family getting the answers they deserve.”

After Digwa was jailed, Nowak’s father, Mark, condemned the “inhumane and degrading” treatment of his son by police, but added: “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.”

The disorder broke out after a protest outside Southampton central police station attended by the far-right activist Tommy Robinson.