Henry Nowak: Gosport man charged with assaulting police officer during Henry Nowak protest in Southampton

Two men have been charged following the disorder in Southampton in the wake of the sentencing of Henry Nowak’s murderer.

Vickrum Digwa was found guilty at Southampton Crown Court of the murder of 18-year-old Henry Nowak, from Chafford Hundred, Essex, in Belmont Road, Southampton, on December 3 last year.

The 23-year-old was also convicted of carrying a ceremonial knife with a 21cm blade in a public place. He was filmed by his victim, and was recorded saying: “I am a bad man” moments before the knife attack which included two stab wounds to the back of Mr Nowak’s legs and a fatal wound to his heart.

Digwa was sentenced to life in prison, with a minimum term of 21 years.

Following his sentencing, numerous protests have been held up and down the country, but most notably in Southampton, where two people were arrested in the midst of the unrest.

The Crown Prosecution Service said Matt Styler, 50 from Priory Road, Gosport has been charged with assaulting a police officer and Daniel Frost, 44, has been charged with violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon over the events in the south coast city on Tuesday evening (June 2).

The pair will appear at Southampton Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, June 4.

Sophie Stevens, deputy chief crown prosecutor for CPS Wessex, said: “We have decided to prosecute Matt Styler with assault of an emergency worker. Later our out of hours team CPS Direct also directed that Daniel Frost was charged with violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon – this followed an investigation into alleged offending following protests held in Southampton on Tuesday evening.

“Our prosecutors have worked to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring the case to court and that it is in the public interest to pursue criminal proceedings.

“We have worked closely with Hampshire Police as it has carried out its investigation.”