Teenager pleads guilty to violent disorder by throwing bottle during Southampton protest

The demonstration followed the murder of Henry Nowak

Author: Ben Mitchell, Press AssociationPublished 15th Jun 2026

An 18-year-old man has pleaded guilty to violent disorder by throwing a bottle at police during a protest in Southampton.

Callum Cool, who was 17 at the time of the demonstration following the murder of Henry Nowak – which took place on June 2, entered his plea during a hearing at Southampton Magistrates’ Court.

The teenager, of Robinia Green, Southampton, was granted conditional bail to appear at Southampton Crown Court for sentencing on June 29.

District Judge Robinson told him: “I am going to list your case for Southampton Crown Court for sentence where the next hearing will take place on June 29.

“I am prepared to grant you conditional bail which means you must turn up on June 29 or you may be committing another offence.”

The district judge set conditions that Cool would be fitted with an electronic tag, with a curfew at his home and ordered him not to attend any protest or gathering of more than 10 people.

The June 2 demonstration involving 1,000 people started outside Southampton Central Police Station before hundreds moved on to the Portswood area where Mr Nowak had been killed and where the violence started.

Cool is the 23rd person to be charged over the protest, with 13 people having been jailed so far.

Anger had erupted after police body-worn video was released showing Mr Nowak being placed in handcuffs moments before he became unconscious and subsequently died.

Vickrum Digwa, 23, who lived in a nearby road with his family, was jailed for life to serve a minimum of 21 years for his murder.

First for all the latest news from across the UK every hour on Hits Radio on DAB, at hitsradio.co.uk and on the Rayo app.