A Man Pleads Guilty to Violent Disorder During Protests in Southampton
A man has pleaded guilty to violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon during the Henry Novak protests in Southampton. Daniel Frost, 44, appeared at Southampton Magistrates’ Court where he admitted to throwing dustbins at police officers and using a makeshift knuckle duster made from a dog lead with a metal carabiner.
During the protest in the Portswood area of the city on Tuesday evening, Frost was described as taunting police officers by wrapping the dog lead around his knuckles and challenging them to take it off him. The court heard that Frost had a long history of criminal convictions, including 25 for 55 offences. These included an offence against the person in 2001, four public disorder offences between 2006 and 2011, and charges related to failing to surrender, possession of a bladed article, and threatening and abusive behaviour.
Oliver O’Connor, who represented Frost, highlighted that the defendant has two children and lives alone with his dog. He also mentioned that Frost is receiving personal independence payment (PIP) due to a serious fall that led to a hip replacement. Frost expressed deep regret over his involvement in the protests, calling it one of the biggest regrets of his life.
The case was sent to the city’s crown court for sentencing, as the magistrates’ court did not have the authority to handle such serious offences. Frost, who resides on Northam Road in Southampton, was remanded in custody ahead of a sentencing hearing scheduled for July 16.
A Second Man Faces Charges of Assaulting a Police Officer
A second man, Matt Styler, 50, has pleaded not guilty to assaulting a police officer during the same protests. Styler, a veteran soldier who served with the Parachute Regiment, was accused of kicking a police sergeant during the disorder in Portswood.
Judge Anthony Callaway noted that Styler has a wife and three children, a previous military career, and suffers from PTSD and other difficulties. Styler, who is from Gosport and has no fixed abode, was remanded in custody until a pre-trial hearing at Southampton Crown Court on June 26.
The Unrest in Southampton
Southampton was shaken by violent disorder on Tuesday, which resulted in 11 police officers and a police dog being injured. The unrest followed the sentencing of Vickrum Digwa, 23, who received a minimum of 21 years in prison for stabbing Henry Nowak to death last year.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police faced intense scrutiny after they handcuffed Henry and ignored his pleas that he had been stabbed and couldn’t breathe. Digwa had falsely claimed to be a victim of a racist attack by Henry. The incident is under investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), and the Chief Constable, Alexis Boon, has apologised to Henry’s family.
Despite Henry’s father, Mark Nowak, urging people not to use the murder to create further hatred or division, hundreds of people gathered in Southampton on Tuesday, including far-right activists like Tommy Robinson. The protest began outside the police station and later moved closer to Digwa’s family home, where bins were set on fire and cars were vandalised.
Political Response to the Protests
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer condemned the demonstrations as “disgraceful and completely unacceptable.” He praised Henry Nowak’s family for their dignity following the tragic loss of their son, describing him as a kind and thoughtful young man.
Starmer stated that there are serious questions about how accusations of racism influenced police decisions and said the government is supporting the IOPC in its investigation. He added that anyone involved in the disorder would face the full force of the law.
Prosecution of the Involved Individuals
Sophie Stevens, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS Wessex, confirmed that Matt Styler has been charged with assault of an emergency worker. She also noted that Daniel Frost was charged with violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon following the protests in Southampton.
Stevens emphasized that prosecutors worked closely with Hampshire Police to ensure there was sufficient evidence to bring the cases to court and that it was in the public interest to pursue criminal proceedings.
