Southampton Protest Violence: Two Jailed for Police Attacks

Two men who attacked police during the violent disorder that engulfed Southampton have been jailed, as courts send a firm message that lawlessness will not be tolerated on British streets.

Leon O'Leary, 41, from Basingstoke, was sentenced to three years and one month after launching a smoke grenade at officers during the disturbance. Connor Bishop, 24, from Southampton, who hurled a traffic cone at police, was jailed for two years and eight months.

Both men admitted violent disorder. O'Leary also admitted possession of an offensive weapon after officers discovered a samurai sword in his bedroom when they went to arrest him.

A City Under Siege

The violence erupted the day after Vickrum Digwa was sentenced for the murder of 18-year-old Henry Nowak. Footage of the tragedy had emerged, showing police handcuffing the teenager as he lay dying from stab wounds, prompting his father, Mark, to condemn the