Charges Following Protest Clashes
Two men have been charged after violent clashes occurred between protesters and police near the location of 18-year-old Henry Nowak's fatal stabbing.
During the disturbances on Tuesday evening in the Portswood area of Southampton, close to the residence of Nowak's killer, Vickrum Digwa, police officers were targeted with missiles. The disorder resulted in injuries to 11 officers and one police dog.
Details of the Charges
Matt Styler, 50, who has no fixed address and is from Gosport, has been charged with assault by beating of an emergency worker. Daniel Frost, 44, residing on Northam Road, Southampton, faces charges of violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon.
Hampshire Police have stated that both men are scheduled to appear at Southampton Magistrates' Court later.
Background on the Case
On Monday, Vickrum Digwa, aged 23, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years for the murder of Henry Nowak. The clashes with police followed amid heightened tensions and scrutiny regarding the police's handling of the incident, specifically their arrest and handcuffing of Nowak while he was dying.
Digwa stabbed Nowak with a large blade, which he claimed to carry for religious reasons. Subsequently, Digwa provided false information to police at the scene, alleging he was the victim of a racist attack. This misinformation led officers to arrest Nowak instead of Digwa.
Bodycam footage released later showed Nowak, while in handcuffs, repeatedly informing officers that he had been stabbed.
Investigation into Police Conduct
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has launched an investigation into the police force's response to the incident.
