Two men charged in relation to disorder in Southampton after murder of Henry Nowak

GB NEWS: Lucy Rigby speaks to GB News about the disorder in Southampton

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Susanna Siddell

By Susanna Siddell


Published: 04/06/2026

- 09:07

Updated: 04/06/2026

- 10:20

Protesters clashed with riot police on Tuesday night

Two men have been charged in relation to the disorder in Southampton following the sentencing of Henry Nowak's murderer.

More than 1,000 protesters gathered outside Southampton Central Police Station on Tuesday evening demanding justice for the 18-year-old university student.


The riots engulfing the streets of the south coast city led to the injury of 11 police officers, as well as a police dog.

Today, Matt Styler, 50, has been charged with assaulting a police officer, the Crown Prosecution Service confirmed.

Additionally, Daniel Frost, 44, has been charged with violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon.

Both will appear before Southampton Magistrates’ Court later today.

After the men were charged, 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.

Southampton protest

Both will appear before Southampton Magistrates’ Court later today

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"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."

The late-night disorder took place after police released body-cam footage of Mr Nowak's final moments where he was handcuffed while repeatedly saying "I can't breathe" and telling officers he had been stabbed.

One of the police officers could be heard saying: "I don't think you have, mate."

Police were called to the scene where Digwa falsely claimed he had been racially abused by Mr Nowak.

The student was stabbed five times, including a fatal wound to the chest, with a 21cm Sikh ceremonial blade.

The day after Digwa was sentenced, protesters across Britain flocked to the scene of the crime and clashed with police outside the city's police station.

Hordes gathered at around 6pm on Tuesday evening to hold a minute's silence for the slain teenager, with shouts of "shame on you" also being heard.

Missiles were catapulted at officers deployed to the city's streets, while protesters urged officers to "take the knee" and heckled "I can't breathe" at the riot police.

Video footage captured furious protesters flinging bins into crowds and confronting officers armed with shields.

Groups of marchers later took the knee near where Mr Nowak was murdered.

Outside the station, crowds gathered to listen to speakers - one of whom called for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary to "sack and prosecute" the officers involved in Mr Nowak's arrest, and pay compensation to his family.

Sir Keir Starmer has since condemned the violence on Tuesday night after the county's police and crime commissioner announced that the teenager's family was "disappointed" by the havoc.