Two charged after clashes at Henry Nowak protests

1 hour agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleIndy Almroth-WrightSouth of England

Police and protesters clashed during the protest

PA Media Police and protestors clashing in Southampton during a protest following the death of Henry Nowak. — Police and protesters clashed during the protest

Two men have been charged after protesters clashed with police near the site of 18-year-old Henry Nowak’s fatal stabbing.

Police were pelted with missiles during the disorder on Tuesday evening near the home of Nowak’s killer, Vickrum Digwa, in the Portswood area of Southampton and 11 officers and one police dog were injured.

Matt Styler, 50, of no fixed abode from Gosport, has been charged with assault by beating of an emergency worker. Daniel Frost, 44, of Northam Road, Southampton, has been charged with violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon.

Hampshire police said they are both due to appear at Southampton Magistrates’ Court later.

Henry Nowak’s family have condemned the scenes in Southampton on Tuesday night

A young man smiling wearing a white shirt and a blue tie. He is sitting in front of a green bush. He has brown hair. — Henry Nowak’s family have condemned the scenes in Southampton on Tuesday night

Digwa, 23, was jailed for life with a minimum 21-year term on Monday, and the clashes with police came amid tensions and scrutiny over why officers arrested and handcuffed Nowak as he lay dying.

Digwa stabbed Nowak with a large blade he said he carried for religious reasons, then lied to police at the scene, falsely claiming he was the victim of a racist attack, leading officers to arrest Nowak instead of his killer.

Bodycam footage was later released showing Nowak, in handcuffs, repeatedly telling officers he had been stabbed.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has since launched an investigation into the force’s response.