Man, 28, charged with violent disorder following Southampton protest over Henry Nowak murder - as police arrest boy, 16, and man, 39

Published: 11:18, 9 June 2026 | Updated: 11:29, 9 June 2026 A 28-year-old man has been charged with violent disorder during a protest in Southampton in the wake of the murder of Henry Nowak.  Denis Read, of Sarisbury Green, Hampshire, will appear at Southampton Magistrates' Court today, and is the 21st person charged in connection with the violent demonstration that unfolded on June 2. Hampshire Constabulary also said a 16-year-old boy and a 39-year-old man, both from Southampton, were arrested on suspicion of violent disorder.  The pair will remain on bail until September 8 pending further inquiries, the force added.  Southampton was rocked by civil unrest on the night of Tuesday June 2, leaving 11 police officers and a police dog injured as around a thousand protestors gathered in the Portswood area. The disorder erupted after Vickrum Digwa, 23, was sentenced on June 1 to a minimum of 21 years in prison for the fatal stabbing of Mr Nowak last year. The 18-year-old student was placed in handcuffs as he lay dying on the ground after being stabbed by Digwa with a ceremonial religious sword.  Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police have since faced intense scrutiny over their handling of the incident after officers ignored Mr Nowak's pleas that he had been stabbed and could not breathe. Police clashed with protesters in Southampton on the evening of Tuesday June 2 during a demonstration in the wake of the murder of Henry Nowak The protests in Southampton followed the murder of Henry Nowak (pictured) in December last year  Digwa had lied to police that he had been the victim of a racist attack at the hands of Mr Nowak, who believed Digwa's claim even though Mr Nowak was doubled down on the ground.  The CCTV footage of the scene sent shockwaves around the world, prompting the US State Department to weigh in, calling for 'two-tiered policing' to be rejected in the West.  The protest on June 2 descended into clashes between police and protestors, as bins and other objects were hurled at officers. Several people have since appeared at Southampton Magistrates' Court and Southampton Crown Court, as well as Portsmouth Magistrates' Court. This included 24-year-old Connor Bishop who was hauled to Southampton Magistrates' Court on Friday after he was caught on video hurling a traffic cone at 'retreating' police officers. However, he refused to leave his cell and enter the courtroom because he was sobbing, forcing his lawyer to enter his guilty pleas to violent disorder on his behalf.  Bishop's case continued to be heard yesterday, alongside two other protestors, at Southampton Crown Court.  Southampton Crown Court was told on Monday around 1,000 people gathered outside Southampton Central Police Station for a demonstration which featured speeches by 'far-right influencers'. Vickrum Digwa (pictured), 23, was jailed on Monday for a minimum of 21 years after he stabbed Henry to death Protesters hurl bins at police officers during the unrest in Southampton on Tuesday June 2 This included a speech by Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon.  The demonstration materialised despite Mr Nowak's father, Mark, making an emotional plea outside court on June 1 for his son's murder not to be used to 'create further hatred, division or tension'.  The activist Mr Robinson took to social media earlier in the day of the protest, in which he described Mr Nowak's death as 'horrific' while calling on supporters to attend a protest outside Southampton police station that evening. The protest began outside Southampton Police Station before moving towards Digwa's family home, where bins were set on fire and residents' cars were vandalised. A separate protest unfolded on Sunday evening, as anti-police protestors gathered and took the knee as they chanted 'I can't breathe' outside Portswood Police Station.  The crowd bearing flags and megaphones came together to vent at the 'two-tier' policing they believe Henry was subjected to.  Protesters came from across Southampton to the flash demonstration, which was announced on social media only hours before it began. Some got down on one knee as a mark of respect to Henry, and his dying words - 'I can't breathe' - were chanted by the crowd. Police officers at the scene were met with hostility, with cries of 'shame on you' and 'no peace, no justice' heard. Paul, 62, from Southampton said he joined the protest to 'stand and be counted'. He told the Mail: 'If the cards had been flipped, the world would be on fire like with BLM.' Hampshire Constabulary met the demonstration with a sturdy police presence and numerous vans in the surrounding streets.  A makeshift memorial has been set up outside the police station, with signs reading 'End two-tier policing, end two-tier justice' and 'Never forget Henry Nowak' alongside bouquets of flowers and pictures of Henry. The crowd on Sunday evening waved St George's crosses and Union Jacks, as well as placards bearing messages such as 'Justice for Henry'. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.