Man Admits Violent Disorder and Weapon Possession in Southampton Disturbance
Daniel Frost has admitted to throwing bins at police officers and carrying a makeshift knuckle duster during the unrest in Southampton following the sentencing of Vickrum Digwa for the murder of 18-year-old Henry Nowak.
Frost, 44, from Southampton, appeared before a district judge on Thursday and pleaded guilty to violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon.
The disorder resulted in injuries to eleven police officers and occurred near the residence of Digwa, the convicted murderer.
Prosecutor Nola Bond informed the court that Frost threw dustbins and a chair at police during the protest in the Portswood area.
“He had around his neck a dog lead with a carabiner and wrapped it around his knuckles and taunted police officers to come and take it off him.”
Judge Callaway deemed the offences too serious for magistrates’ court and referred the case to the city’s crown court for sentencing in July.
It was revealed that Frost has 25 previous convictions, including four for public disorder, possession of a bladed article, and threatening and abusive behaviour.
Defence lawyer Oliver O’Connor stated that Frost has two children but lives alone with his dog. He added:
“He is at pains to tell the court of his shame of his involvement, one of the biggest regrets in his life.
He is a vulnerable man, he is in receipt of PIP (personal independence payment) as a result of a serious fall he had leading to a hip replacement.”
Second Protester Pleads Not Guilty
Another individual involved in the protest, 50-year-old army veteran Matt Styler from Gosport near Southampton, pleaded not guilty to assaulting a police sergeant by kicking him. Both Frost and Styler were remanded in custody.
Police Watchdog Calls for End to Speculation
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has urged the public to refrain from speculation regarding the circumstances surrounding Henry Nowak’s death. Nowak was handcuffed by police as he lay dying from stab wounds after Digwa claimed racial abuse and assault by Nowak.
Derrick Campbell, director of the IOPC, stated:
“We are acutely aware of the public interest in this case. We would respectfully ask people to stop speculating on an ongoing live investigation.
This investigation is going to fully establish the circumstances of the case including whether there may be misconduct on the part of any of the officers involved.
The ongoing commentary about the evidence and speculation risks prejudicing any potential processes and preventing Henry Nowak’s family getting the answers they deserve.”
Family Response and Context of Disorder
Following Digwa’s sentencing, Nowak’s father, Mark, condemned the treatment of his son by police as “inhumane and degrading” but emphasized:
“We do not want his death to be used to create further division, hatred or tension. We want his story to help make our streets safer for everyone.”
The disturbance erupted after a protest outside Southampton central police station, which was attended by far-right activist Tommy Robinson.
Inquest Scheduled to Examine Police Actions
At a hearing at Winchester coroner’s court, Jason Pegg, area coroner for Hampshire, Portsmouth, and Southampton, announced that Nowak’s inquest will be held before a jury. The inquest will examine the actions of police officers present at the scene of Nowak’s death.
Pegg explained:
“The issue in this case is likely to be whether any act or omission by a police officer, or any delay in the treatment Henry received, caused or contributed to death.”
He noted that Nowak was in police custody at the time of his death:
“When Henry Nowak died he had been arrested. He was in the custody of the state.”
The inquest will therefore consider not only the circumstances leading to Nowak’s death but also the broader context of his treatment while in custody.
Regarding the murder trial where Digwa was found guilty, Pegg stated:
“In the crown court, Henry’s family were not themselves represented and they were not able to discuss particular things in that hearing because the function of the crown court is not the same as the coroner’s court.”
The inquest is scheduled for September next year but may be brought forward.
