Southampton Crown Court has sentenced five men to prison for violent disorder during a protest sparked by the murder of 24-year-old Henry Nowak in April 2023. The disorder, which erupted outside Southampton Central Police Station, saw officers pelted with bricks, fireworks, and Molotov cocktails, leading to multiple injuries and £1.8 million in property damage.

Jurors heard how 28-year-old Daniel Reeves, 31-year-old Liam Carter, 25-year-old Jake Morris, 22-year-old Ryan Holt, and 27-year-old Ethan Shaw conspired to target police during the protest. Surveillance footage and witness testimonies identified the men as leaders of the violent faction, with Reeves allegedly directing attacks from a nearby rooftop using a loudhailer. All five were convicted on charges of violent disorder, criminal damage, and possession of offensive weapons.

The protest, initially peaceful, turned violent within 30 minutes of Nowak’s death being announced. Hampshire Constabulary reported 12 officers injured, including two with life-threatening burns. The court heard how Shaw, a known agitator, admitted to throwing a petrol bomb that destroyed a police van, while Holt was filmed using a sledgehammer to smash windows at the station’s front desk.

Prosecutors described the defendants as part of a “militant faction” that infiltrated the protest, aiming to escalate tensions. Detective Chief Inspector Mark Hargreaves of Hampshire Police called the attacks “premeditated and cowardly,” noting that undercover officers had infiltrated the group weeks before the protest. The Crown Prosecution Service confirmed this was the largest single prosecution for protest-related violence in Hampshire in over a decade.

Nowak’s family attended every day of the trial, with his mother, Maria Nowak, telling the court that the violence had “compounded their grief.” The protest itself was triggered by allegations of police mishandling the investigation into Nowak’s death, which occurred during an altercation with officers in his home. An independent review is ongoing, but the Crown has not yet charged any officers.

During sentencing, Judge Patricia Whitmore condemned the defendants for exploiting a tragedy to “fuel anarchy.” She noted that while Nowak’s death was tragic, “the lawful expression of anger does not include arson or assault.” The five men will serve their sentences at high-security prisons, with no possibility of parole for Shaw and Reeves.

The case has reignited debates about protest policing in the UK, with civil liberties groups criticizing Hampshire Constabulary for its “overly aggressive” response during the riots. Meanwhile, local businesses have demanded compensation, with the Southampton Chamber of Commerce estimating losses of £500,000 due to looted shops and vandalized properties.

1. First — The protest began peacefully at 7:30 p.m. on April 12, 2023, outside Southampton Central Police Station.
2. Second — Within 30 minutes, a faction of 50-70 protesters turned violent, hurling projectiles.
3. Third — Police declared the protest a “major incident” by 9:15 p.m., deploying riot units.

As the sentences were handed down, Hampshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner vowed to “pursue every legal avenue” to recover the costs of the riot, including pursuing civil claims against the convicted men. The Home Office has also announced a review of protest policing guidelines nationwide, though no timeline has been set.