Three additional individuals have been arrested for engaging in violent behavior following demonstrations in Southampton, subsequent to the tragic death of Henry Nowak. This has brought the total number of individuals facing charges to 14, as confirmed by Hampshire Police.
Darren Medhurst, aged 36 and residing on Carnation Road in Southampton, along with Jordan Hambleton, aged 19 from Rollesbrook Gardens in Southampton, and Callum Darch, aged 27 from St Blaize Road in Romsey, have been formally accused of violent disorder, according to a statement released by Hampshire Police.
These individuals are scheduled to make a court appearance at Southampton Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
The charges stem from protests that occurred after the sentencing of Vickrum Digwa, 23, to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years for the murder of 18-year-old Mr. Nowak back in December.
Tensions escalated following the release of police body-worn camera footage showing Mr. Nowak being handcuffed shortly before losing consciousness and subsequently passing away.
The protests unfolded in the vicinity where the student was fatally attacked, with Digwa alleging he was a victim of a racial assault while Mr. Nowak was restrained by police despite his pleas that he was struggling to breathe as his life slipped away.
Earlier in the week, eleven individuals were charged in connection with disorder that erupted during a protest in Southampton over the handling of Nowak’s death by the authorities.
Hampshire Police had intended to issue a statement countering “misinformation” during Henry Nowak’s killer’s trial, but were cautioned by the Crown Prosecution Service that it could compromise the case.
Concerns had been raised about online discussions and the potential for public unrest, prompting Hampshire Police to seek the CPS’s opinion on releasing a statement indicating that they would address inquiries once legal proceedings concluded, as reported by The Sunday Times.
The statement aimed to clarify the court case process, remind the public of the legal restrictions on publishing content that could prejudice legal proceedings, and assure that the police would address queries post-trial completion.
A spokesperson from the Crown Prosecution Service emphasized the importance of preserving the ongoing trial’s integrity and the risks associated with referencing evidence before it had been presented in court and summarized by the judge to the jury.
However, it was emphasized that the decision to release a statement ultimately rested with the police as an operational matter.
A representative from Hampshire Police informed The Sunday Times that due to the media coverage following the trial opening, a considerable amount of misinformation and disinformation had circulated online.
The goal of the proposed statement was to remind the public about the ongoing legal processes and the legal obligation to avoid publishing anything that could prejudice the trial outcome.
The decision to withhold the statement was made following guidance from the CPS.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct is currently investigating Hampshire Police’s actions in Mr. Nowak’s case.
Mark Nowak, the father of the deceased, has expressed that the family does not wish for his son’s death to fuel further discord, animosity, or tension. Nevertheless, the treatment of the student by the police has sparked a political dispute.
