Three additional men have been sentenced for turning a demonstration regarding the tragic death of student Henry Nowak into a violent spectacle. Darren Medhurst, aged 36, received a prison term of three years and three months at Southampton Crown Court, while Callum Darch, aged 27, and Harley Haynes, aged 23, were each sentenced to two years and six months for engaging in violent disorder in Southampton.
Outrage ensued following the release of police bodycam footage showing 18-year-old Henry being restrained in handcuffs just before he lost consciousness and passed away. Henry’s murderer, Vikram Digwa, aged 23, who resided nearby with his family, was subsequently convicted to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years.
Tension escalated as police body-worn video footage emerged, depicting Mr. Nowak being handcuffed moments before collapsing, leading to a protest in Southampton that escalated into violence. During the protest, which shifted to the street where Mr. Nowak was killed, 13 police officers, a police dog, and a member of the public sustained injuries, with the latter suffering a broken jaw.
To date, a total of 21 individuals have been charged with violent disorder in connection with the incident. In court, Edward Culver, the prosecutor, described how one police officer characterized the protesters as treating the disorder as a “party or blood-sport,” expressing concerns that someone might be killed.
Darch, a bricklayer, was captured on video throwing a bin that struck a bystander during the chaotic episode where a group of police officers found themselves surrounded by protesters. When shown the footage during a police interview, Darch became upset and requested a break. It was revealed that Darch had a history of 10 convictions for various offenses, including assaulting a police officer, possessing an offensive weapon, cocaine possession, and driving violations.
Rebecca McKnight, Darch’s defense attorney, expressed his deep remorse, emphasizing his efforts to address a previous drug issue and focus on caring for his young son.
Medhurst’s involvement included igniting a commercial bin on wheels and hurling objects, including a piece of tile and a can, toward the police cordon. His actions were deemed dangerous as the contents of the bin were unknown and could have contained hazardous materials. Medhurst, with a substantial criminal record of 51 convictions for offenses like shoplifting, burglary, drug possession, and criminal damage, was highlighted by Culver during the court proceedings.
Stephen Tricker, Medhurst’s defense counsel, shed light on his client’s health challenges and caregiving responsibilities, conveying Medhurst’s regret for his actions and attributing his presence at the protest to the released footage of Henry Nowak’s arrest.
Haynes, on the other hand, was reported to have thrown multiple items, including a brick and glass, at the police and a member of the public filming the events. With a history of nine convictions for offenses such as theft, criminal damage, drug supply, and drug possession, Haynes’ defense lawyer, Elliott Wright, cited his client’s autism as a contributing factor to his behavior, emphasizing that Haynes was led astray and acted impulsively.
In delivering the sentences, Judge William Mousley KC emphasized the severity of the offense, stating that only immediate imprisonment was appropriate in this case.