Southampton protests over Henry Nowak death result in additional arrests and court pleas

Protests erupted in Southampton after 18‑year‑old student Henry Nowak died in police custody, following the release of body‑camera footage showing him handcuffed moments before he lost consciousness. The unrest on June 2 turned violent, injuring eleven police officers and a police dog, and led to a series of arrests for violent disorder.

Three more men – Darren Medhurst, Jordan Hambleton and Callum Darch – were charged with violent disorder and remanded in custody, bringing the total number of people charged in connection with the disorder to 14. They are due to appear before Southampton Magistrates' Court. Separately, Leon O'Leary, 41, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and illegal possession of a sword, while Jordan Hambleton, 19, pleaded guilty to violent disorder. Both await sentencing at Southampton Crown Court. The court cases follow the life sentence with a 21‑year minimum given to Vickrum Digwa for murdering Henry Nowak in December.