Southampton Violence: Ryan Atkinson Charged After Henry Nowak Murder Protest
A man has been charged following violent demonstrations in Southampton, which were sparked by the murder of student Henry Nowak. Ryan Atkinson, 36, of Southampton, has been charged with violent disorder and is scheduled to appear at Southampton Magistrates' Court.
The disturbances occurred after police bodycam footage was released, showing 18-year-old Nowak being placed in handcuffs after being stabbed by Vickrum Digwa, 23. Digwa was subsequently convicted and jailed for Nowak's murder.
On 2 June, a crowd initially gathered at the city centre police station before moving to the vicinity of Digwa's family home. During the ensuing violence, 12 police officers and a police dog sustained injuries from thrown projectiles, including wheelie bins and chairs.
Hampshire police have confirmed that this brings the total number of individuals charged in connection with the protests to 22. Twelve people have already been sentenced for their roles in the disorder. Nowak's family has publicly condemned the violent scenes that unfolded in Southampton.
Henry Nowak, an 18-year-old first-year accountancy and finance student at the University of Southampton, was fatally stabbed in December by Digwa, who falsely alleged racial abuse as a pretext for the attack.
