Man admits violent disorder at Henry Nowak protest

A man has pleaded guilty to violent disorder and possessing an offensive weapon after protesters clashed with police near the site of 18-year-old Henry Nowak's fatal stabbing.

Daniel Frost, of Northam Road, Southampton, threw dustbins at police officers during the protest on Tuesday evening, Southampton Magistrates' Court heard.

He also admitted possessing a dog lead with a metal carabiner as an offensive weapon.

The 44-year-old, who has 25 previous convictions for 55 offences, was remanded in custody to be sentenced at Southampton Crown Court on 16 July.

The court heard Frost's previous offending included four instances of public disorder and possession of a blade.

Oliver O'Connor, defending, said the father of two, who lives alone with his dog, was "at pains to tell the court of his shame of his involvement, one of the biggest regrets in his life".

Police were pelted with missiles during the disorder near the home of Nowak's killer, Vickrum Digwa, in the Portswood area of Southampton.

Eleven officers and one police dog were injured.

Protesters voiced anger that Nowak was arrested and handcuffed in December as he told police he had been stabbed and could not breathe.

Digwa had lied to officers by telling them he had been racially abused by Nowak.

A short time later, officers realised the student, from Chafford Hundred in Essex, had been stabbed in the chest. He died at the scene.

Nola Bond, prosecuting, told the court Frost had thrown dustbins and a chair at police.

She added: "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."

District Judge Anthony Callaway sent the case to be sentenced at the city's crown court after explaining the offences were too serious for the powers of the magistrates' court.

Frost was charged along with Matt Styler, 50, of Orange Grove, Gosport, who pleaded not guilty to assaulting a police officer.

The court heard veteran soldier Styler, who served with the parachute regiment, was accused of kicking a police sergeant.

He was remanded in custody until a pre-trial hearing to be held at Southampton Crown Court on 26 June.