Magistrates' Blog will be an ongoing chronicle of the work of the Magistrates' Courts of England and Wales. Please note that I tweet in a personal capacity.
🚨 BREAKING: Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood condemns the violence against police in Southampton tonight
"The scenes this evening in Portswood are completely unacceptable. The Nowak family made a powerful call to us all yesterday to not let Henry’s death be used to create further division, hatred or tension.
"There can be no justification for hijacking this tragedy to stir up violence and disorder. Those responsible can expect to face the full force of the law.
"I thank the police who have tonight shown great bravery and calm in the face of disgraceful violence directed at them"
The chap in black top left has just launched a brick at the line. Chants of "traitors, traitors, traitors" and the sound of car alarms in the background.
A few moments ago in St Denys Road, just a couple of hundred yards away from Portswood Police Station, Southampton.
Debris lying on the road, having been thrown at the police line.
Flying a drone over a prison is a criminal offence.
It’s an emerging threat to prison security and safety.
We’ve already invested over £40 million into physical security across the prison estate to disrupt criminal gangs, but there’s more to do.
🚨 BREAKING: The CPS has authorised new charges against Vickrum Digwa and his brother and father for Henry Nowak's murder
They will appear at Southampton Court this afternoon
Vickrum Digwa:
- Six counts of possess an offensive weapon in private place on 4 December 2025
Moga Singh (father):
- Six counts of possess an offensive weapon in private place on 4 December 2025
Gurpreet Digwa (brother):
- Six counts of possess an offensive weapon in private place on 4 December 2025
- Possess an offensive weapon in a public place on 4 December 2025
- Possess a prohibited weapon on 4 December 2025
- Two counts of possess knife blade / sharp pointed article in a public place on 4 December 2025
@GuidoFawkes Ouch. That's almost as bad as the Labour Chief Secretary to the Treasury leaving a note for their Tory successor saying "Dear Chief Secretary, Sorry all the money has ran out. Love Liam xx"
England once had hundreds of tiny prisons.
Before police stations became common, villages often had their own lock-ups, small cells used to hold drunks, thieves, vagrants and troublemakers overnight.
Most were built during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Many contained little more than a stone floor, a wooden bench and a heavily barred door.
Some were circular because it made them harder to break out of.
Others became known as "blind houses" because their windows were so small.
Hundreds once stood across England.
Dozens still survive today, hidden beside churches, village greens and market squares.
A reminder that local justice once existed at the very heart of village life.
Have you ever seen a village lock-up?
📷: Breedon on the Hill village lock up.
Follow @oaksandlions for your daily dose of England's hidden gems.
#EnglishHistory #EnglishHeritage #LockUps