Three jailed for violent protest over Henry Nowak death
Three men received prison sentences ranging from two and a half to three years and two months for violent disorder during a Southampton protest following the death of Henry Nowak. Their actions included throwing objects at police and contributing to a night of unrest.
A Romsey man was sentenced to the longest prison term yet after participating in violent clashes during a Southampton protest triggered by the death of 18-year-old Henry Nowak. Andrew Summerhayes, 38, received three years and two months in prison at Southampton Crown Court on Wednesday after being convicted of violent disorder and possessing offensive weapons.
The protest began outside Southampton Central Police Station on June 2 before escalating into chaos along St Denys Road, where demonstrators hurled bricks, fence panels, bins, chairs, and traffic cones at officers. The unrest continued late into the night as Hampshire Police struggled to regain control of the volatile situation.
Key Points
- ✅ Andrew Summerhayes, 38, received the longest sentence—three years and two months
- ⚡ Protest erupted after Henry Nowak’s death, turning violent with heavy objects thrown at police
- 💡 Hampshire Police have charged 21 people, with 10 defendants appearing in court so far
Summerhayes was arrested on June 5 and admitted in police interviews that he attended the protest because he believed officers were involved in paedophilia. When asked why he held this view, he stated, “Because they wear uniforms. They just haven’t been caught yet.” His criminal record includes 25 convictions for 45 offences, including racially aggravated assaults on police.
Mitigating for Summerhayes, defence solicitor Maddison Fisher highlighted his role as a father and his lack of offending for a decade. “He wants your honour to know there is regret there,” she told the court. However, Judge William Mousley KC rejected these claims, emphasizing the severity of Summerhayes’ actions during the protest.
📋 By The Numbers
- 10 — Number of defendants appearing in court so far
- 7 — Number of individuals already jailed
- 21 — Total people charged by Hampshire Police
Two other men received sentences alongside Summerhayes: Dillon Crawford, 29, from Southampton, was jailed for two years and six months, and Taylor Grundy, 22, from Gosport, received two years. Crawford, a father of two, will miss the birth of his third child due to his imprisonment. He claimed remorse in court, stating, “Just five minutes of stupidity could ruin my life.” His criminal history includes a 2023 conviction for punching a woman after she refused to perform a sexual act.
| Defendant | Age | Sentence | Key Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andrew Summerhayes | 38 | Three years, two months | Threw bin and traffic cone; claimed police were paedophiles |
| Dillon Crawford | 29 | Two years, six months | Threw bins and metal chair; missed birth of third child |
| Taylor Grundy | 22 | Two years | Threw wooden planks; helped push burning bin toward police |
Grundy initially claimed he only watched the protest from a distance before turning himself in after officers visited his mother’s home. Defence solicitor Simon Walters described him as “a sheep” swept up in “anger and emotion,” adding that Grundy has no desire to attend future protests.
💡 Pro Tip
Attending a protest in a volatile situation can escalate quickly—police advise maintaining distance from confrontations and avoiding carrying objects that could be seen as weapons.
All three men pleaded guilty to violent disorder, with Summerhayes additionally admitting possession of offensive weapons. The sentencing marks the latest development in a series of prosecutions tied to the Henry Nowak case, where Hampshire Police have charged 21 individuals in total. Earlier on Wednesday, Daniel Frost, 44, and Reece Robinson, 21, were jailed for two years and four months and two years, respectively. On Tuesday, Leon O’Leary, 41, and Connor Bishop, 24, received sentences of three years and one month and two years and eight months.
- 📊 The protest’s violence resulted in seven jail sentences so far, with more expected
- 🔍 Summerhayes’ claim that police are paedophiles reflects a disturbing pattern in extremist rhetoric
- ⚠️ Crawford’s domestic violence history raises questions about his remorse and rehabilitation potential
Hampshire Police continue to investigate the broader circumstances surrounding Henry Nowak’s death, which initially sparked the protests. The case has drawn national attention, with further developments anticipated as additional defendants face justice.
What Happened Next
- ✅ Further prosecutions expected as Hampshire Police pursue remaining charges
- ⚡ Public inquiry into Henry Nowak’s death scheduled to open in July
- 💡 Community leaders urge calm amid ongoing tensions in Southampton