Four additional men have confessed to charges of violent disorder in connection to the protest sparked by the murder of Henry Nowak. Andrew Summerhayes, aged 38, Dillon Crawford, 29, Harry Varney, 34, and Taylor Grundy, 22, all entered guilty pleas at Southampton Magistrates Court on Saturday. Summerhayes admitted to two counts of possessing an offensive weapon in a public setting as well.
According to prosecutor Robert Salame, Summerhayes was accused of hurling items, including bins, at police officers, while Crawford used large objects such as bins and chairs against the officers. Varney reportedly resisted police directions and pushed against their shields, while Grundy rolled a large industrial bin towards riot police.
These four individuals were part of a group that confronted riot police officers attempting to prevent them from reaching the residence of Henry’s killer, Vickrum Digwa, 23, on Tuesday night. The demonstration was incited by footage showing the 18-year-old victim handcuffed while dying, as officers disregarded his pleas for help after being stabbed.
Tragically, it was revealed that Digwa inflected fatal knife wounds on the young victim, lying to authorities that he was a victim of a racist attack and feigning innocence. The defendants confirmed their personal details in court before being remanded in custody to reappear at Southampton Crown Court.
In a related development, four more men have admitted guilt, bringing the total charged individuals to eleven. Connor Bishop, who threw a traffic cone at officers, faced charges of violent disorder after video evidence captured the incident. Noah Etherington, 18, acknowledged violent disorder by throwing a brick at police, while Reece Robinson, 21, pleaded guilty to similar charges for throwing objects at law enforcement. Daniel Frost, 44, also confessed to violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon, revealing he had used a dog lead to provoke officers.
Additionally, Kevin Reeves, 31, and Andrew Riddett, 38, did not enter pleas for violent disorder charges. Reeves was accused of using large objects like traffic cones against police, while Riddett allegedly spat at an officer and encouraged violence towards law enforcement. Both individuals were remanded in custody for an upcoming court appearance.
Lastly, Matt Styler denied allegations of assaulting an emergency worker. The court heard that the 50-year-old military veteran purportedly kicked a police sergeant when asked to move from a wall he was seated on. Styler, a father of three and former member of the Army’s Parachute Regiment, was remanded in custody for further proceedings. Authorities are reviewing video evidence from the protests, with more arrests anticipated.
