Connor Bishop, 24, and Leon O’Leary, 41, have been jailed for their roles in violent disorder at a protest in Southampton following the murder of Henry Nowak
Violence broke out at a protest over the murder of Henry Nowak(Image: Jamie Lashmar/PA Wire)
Two men have been jailed for their roles in violent disorder at a protest in Southampton following the murder of Henry Nowak.
Connor Bishop, 24, was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison and Leon O’Leary, 41, was jailed for three years and one month. Both men had pleaded guilty to violent disorder at a previous hearing.
On Tuesday, Hampshire Police announced that another man had been charged in connection with the disorder, which took place in Southampton on June 2. The latest charge brings the total number of people charged in connection with the protest to 21.
Denis Read, 28, of Addison Road, Sarisbury Green, has been charged with violent disorder and was remanded in custody ahead of an appearance at Southampton Magistrates’ Court.
The force also said a 39-year-old man and a 16-year-old boy, both from Southampton, had been arrested on suspicion of violent disorder. They have been released on bail until September 8 while enquiries continue.
The protest in Southampton followed the release of body-worn camera footage showing 18-year-old student Henry Nowak being handcuffed as he lay dying.
Vickrum Digwa, 23, was jailed for life on June 1, for murdering the student in Southampton on December 3, 2025, with what a judge described as a “Sikh dagger”. Mr Nowak had been walking home alone after a night out with football teammates when Digwa attacked him.
After the stabbing, Digwa lied to police at the scene and claimed he had been the victim of a racist attack, leading officers to arrest Mr Nowak. As he was being handcuffed, Mr Nowak could be heard repeatedly saying: “I’ve been stabbed,” to which an officer replied: “Don’t think you have, mate.”
The case sparked nationwide outrage over the police response and ignited debate about religious exemptions for carrying knives. Hundreds protested outside Southampton Central Police Station on June 1, where ‘Unite the Kingdom’ flags were waved and speeches were made by far-right activist Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, and others.
The protest turned violent as the crowd moved towards the Digwa family home in St Denys. Chairs, cans and flares were thrown at officers in riot gear, with Hampshire Police later saying 11 officers and a police dog were injured.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has launched an investigation into the force’s response to the murder of Mr Nowak.
