The father of a teenager who was fatally stabbed at a party said he hoped to speak to Henry Nowak’s family to tell them they were not alone.

Nowak, 18, was stabbed to death while walking home from a night out in Southampton, Hampshire, on 3 December.

Martin Cosser, from Milford in Surrey, set up knife crime charity Charlie’s Promise after his 17-year-old son died after being stabbed at a party in Warnham, West Sussex, in 2023.

He said that his message to the Nowak family was that “you’re not alone”.

Cosser added: “I think when you have a child murdered it’s a very lonely place.”

He added: “I am here to listen, I am there to answer any questions and support as much as I can.

“Nobody understands as much of what Mark [Nowak’s father] is going through than a father whose had his child murdered.”

Martin Cosser

The release of the police bodycam footage from the night Nowak died sparked widespread reaction, including demonstrations in Southampton.

Police said that officers were pelted with missiles including chairs, cans and flares, leaving 11 officers and a police dog injured.

Cosser said that he agreed that “lessons have to be learned, but not by going out in the streets and fighting each other”.

“That family has not asked for that, they don’t want violence,” he added.

“You don’t fight violence with violence.”

SOURCE: BBC