Key facts
- Leon O'Leary and Connor Bishop have been jailed for their involvement in violent disorder at a protest.
- The protest in Southampton followed the murder of 18-year-old Henry Nowak.
- O'Leary was sentenced to three years and one month, and Bishop to two years and eight months.
- Missiles including chairs, flares, and wheelie bins were thrown at police, injuring 11 officers and a dog.
- O'Leary also admitted resisting arrest and possessing a samurai sword.
- Bishop admitted throwing a traffic cone and other items, stating he wanted to fit in.
Two men have been jailed for their involvement in violent disorder during a protest in Southampton concerning the murder of Henry Nowak. Leon O'Leary, 41, received a sentence of three years and one month, while Connor Bishop, 24, was jailed for two years and eight months. Both had pleaded guilty to violent disorder.
The protest, which drew over a thousand demonstrators, occurred outside Southampton Central Police Station following the murder of 18-year-old finance student Henry Nowak on December 3. Nowak was stabbed five times. Anger at the protest was fueled by body-worn video footage showing Nowak being handcuffed while he was dying.
During the demonstration, missiles including chairs, flares, and wheelie bins were thrown at officers in riot gear, resulting in injuries to 11 police officers and a police dog. O'Leary was seen throwing a smoke grenade at officers and also admitted resisting arrest and possessing a samurai sword. Bishop was seen throwing a traffic cone at officers, stating he acted to fit in with the crowd.
O'Leary and Bishop are the first to be sentenced in connection with the violence. Hampshire Police have charged a total of 21 people in relation to the disorder. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood described the scenes as "completely unacceptable" and warned that those involved would face the full force of the law.