Henry Nowak protester who threw traffic cone at police during demonstration refuses to enter court as he is 'crying his eyes out'

Published: 15:20, 5 June 2026 | Updated: 15:21, 5 June 2026 A protester who threw a traffic cone at police during demonstrations in Southampton following the murder of Henry Nowak has refused to enter the court because he was 'crying his eyes out'.  Connor Bishop, 24, was hauled to Southampton Magistrates' Court after he was caught on video hurling the object at 'retreating' police officers. However, he then refused to leave his cell and enter the courtroom because he was sobbing and it was left to his lawyer to enter his guilty pleas to violent disorder on his behalf. Elsewhere, two other men appeared at Portsmouth Magistrates' Court.  Noah Etherington, 18, pleaded guilty to violent disorder by throwing a 'brick' towards police officers, while Reece Robinson, 21, admitted to the same offence after he threw objects at police.  The three men are accused of taking part in the violent demonstrations that rocked Southampton on Tuesday evening after Vickrum Digwa, 23, was jailed on Monday for a minimum of 21 years after he stabbed Henry Nowak to death last December. Describing Bishop's offence, prosecutor Kevin Lucie told Southampton Magistrates' Court: 'Mr Bishop attended the planned protest at Southampton Central Police Station at 6pm on June 2. 'At first he doesn't seem to be getting involved but effectively he is seen in later clips when he does become involved. A large bin is slammed into police officers during demonstrations in Southampton  Vickrum Digwa (pictured), 23, was jailed on Monday for a minimum of 21 years after he stabbed Henry to death The protests in Southampton followed the murder of Henry Nowak (pictured) in December last year  'He's seen in a large group throwing things at retreating police officers. The group were carrying wheelie bins above their heads, some of which were thrown at the police. 'The suspect can be seen picking up and throwing a traffic cone - that was his involvement.' The court heard that Bishop had been convicted of assault before as well as assaulting police officers which Mr Lucie said showed 'he has no regard for police or emergency workers and will use violence against them'.  'They have all occurred between 2022 and 2025. There is a substantial concern that he will keep offending,' he added. The hearing was conducted in Bishop's absence, with the usher telling the court: 'He's refusing to come up from the cells. He's crying his eyes out.' At Portsmouth Magistrates' Court, Etherington pleaded guilty to violent disorder. Prosecutor Graham Heath told the court: 'Captured on multiple clips of video footage, [Etherington is] seen close to the police line, encouraging others to become involved in violence before being seen to throw a brick in the direction of police officers.' He added that Etherington, from Havant, in Hampshire, had several convictions in the youth court, including one for common assault. Etherington did not make an application for bail. A protests hurls a brick at police in Southampton during unrest on Tuesday District Judge Anthony Callaway said that there was no suggestion yet that Etherington was responsible for injuries inflicted to a police dog and 11 officers who attended the protest. Robinson also pleaded guilty to violent disorder. Mr Heath said: 'This is a case, as you will appreciate, linked with a high profile set of actions. 'The defendant is one of a number who have been investigated by the police and has been identified by video footage in the Portswood area following the latter part of the unrest, throwing items toward the police.' Robinson, a groundworker who lives with family, has no previous convictions. Defending, Bridget O'Hagan said: 'His reason for attending was curiosity more than anything else. 'The person known as Tommy Robinson was due to give a speech.' Robinson had 'no intention' of participating in anything other than a peaceful protest, Ms O'Hagan said, and he 'got swept up in the emotion of the event'. She continued: 'It's impossible to say whether these items hit [police] or not.' Ms O'Hagan added that Robinson was 'deeply ashamed and remorseful for his behaviour'. Robinson's application for bail was rejected.   The next hearings in the protesters' cases will take place at Southampton Crown Court on Monday June 8. All three protesters have been remanded into custody. Yesterday, two other men appeared at Southampton Magistrates' Court - Daniel Frost, 44, who pleaded guilty to violent disorder and possessing a dog lead with a metal carabiner and Matt Styler, 50, pleaded not guilty to assaulting a police officer.  The court heard how Frost had thrown dustbins at police officers during the protest in the Portswood area of the city on Tuesday evening.  During Styler's court appearance, the veteran soldier - who served with the Parachute Regiment - was accused of kicking a police sergeant during the Portswood disorder. Southampton was rocked by violent disorder on Tuesday which saw 11 police officers and a police dog injured.  A flare thrown at police during the demonstrations in Southampton earlier this week  The unrest came after Vickrum Digwa, 23, was jailed on Monday for a minimum of 21 years after he stabbed Henry to death last year. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police have come under intense scrutiny for their conduct after they handcuffed Henry and ignored his pleas that he had been stabbed and couldn't breathe. Digwa had lied to police that he had been the victim of a racist attack at the hands of Henry. The incident is now being investigated by the police watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) and the Chief Constable of the force, Alexis Boon, has apologised to Henry's family.  Despite Henry's father, Mark Nowak, making a plea outside the court on Monday for his son's murder not to be used to 'create further hatred, division or tension', hundreds of people descended on Southampton on Tuesday - including far-right activists such as Tommy Robinson. The protest started outside Southampton Police Station before moving closer to Digwa's family home where bins were set on fire and residents' cars were vandalised. Speaking at Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, Sir Keir Starmer described the demonstrations as 'disgraceful and completely unacceptable'. The PM said: 'Henry Nowak's family have shown extraordinary dignity after their son's life was stolen in appalling circumstances. 'He was clearly a kind, and thoughtful and much-loved young man. 'There are serious questions to answer, including how accusations of racism informed police thinking, and we are supporting the IOPC to get to the bottom of what happened.  'But no matter the pain we feel, there is no justification for more violence and disorder. The attacks directed towards police officers in Southampton last night were disgraceful and completely unacceptable.' Sir Keir added that anyone found to have been involved in the disorder would meet 'the full force of the law'.   Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.