A protester named Henry Nowak, involved in a violent incident in Southampton, refused to attend court and instead remained in the cells, visibly upset. Connor Bishop, aged 24, faced charges of violent disorder for throwing a traffic cone at police officers during the protest. His lawyer, Will Day, entered a guilty plea on his behalf at Southampton Magistrates’ Court.
An usher informed the court that Bishop was unwilling to come before the court and was emotional. Two other men, Noah Etherington, 18, and Reece Robinson, 21, also appeared in court on similar charges. Etherington admitted to throwing a brick towards police officers, while Robinson confessed to throwing objects at the officers during the protest.
Prosecutor Kevin Lucie detailed Bishop’s involvement in the protest, stating that he was part of a group that attacked police officers with various objects, including a traffic cone. Etherington, from Havant, had prior convictions, but there was no evidence linking him to injuries sustained by officers or a police dog during the protest.
Robinson, a groundworker without a criminal record, attended the protest out of curiosity. His defense attorney explained that he did not intend to engage in violence but got caught up in the moment. All three men were detained, and their cases will proceed at Southampton Crown Court on June 8.
In a separate court appearance, Daniel Frost, 44, admitted to violent disorder and possessing an offensive weapon for his actions during the protest. Frost, with a history of convictions, including public disorder and possession of a bladed article, will face trial at the city’s crown court in July. Another individual, Matt Styler, 50, denied assaulting an emergency worker during the protest and is being held in custody pending further court proceedings.
Video evidence from the protest is being reviewed, and additional arrests are anticipated.