18-year-old Henry Nowak was killed in Portswood on a night out with football teammates as he neared the end of his first semester studying accountancy and finance at the University of Southampton.
Henry Nowak (Image: Supplied)
Vickrum Digwa, 22, will stand trial in May accused of his murder, with Digwa's mother, 52-year-old Kiran Kaur, also accused of assisting an offender.
Masked robbers armed with crowbars escaped with a large amount of cash after forcing staff at Rownhams Services on the M27 into toilets and breaking into a cash machine.
Fire at Northlands Road, Totton (Image: Cristiano Magaglio)
A 25-year-old woman died in a house fire in Totton after being trapped upstairs as her parents fled their home as the blaze took hold in the night.
Family, friends, former teammates and fans worldwide mourned the loss of cricketer Robin Smith, the former England batter who 'embodied the spirit of Hampshire'. The Judge, who spent his entire county career at Hampshire winning a number of trophies and captaining the side for many years, died at home in Perth on December 1, just as The Ashes got underway in Australia.
Hampshire and England batter Robin Smith (Image: PA)
Tonda Eckert got off to a winning start in his first two matches after being made permanent Saints boss with victories over Birmingham and West Brom in the early part of the month paved the way for a possible push for promotion. Adam Lallana was also confirmed as under 21s boss this month.
Southampton manager Tonda Eckert during the Championship match between Southampton and West Bromwich Albion. Photo by Stuart Martin. (Image: Stuart Martin)
The South Coast's biggest pantomime opened in Southampton, starring X Factor singer Alexandra Burke and TV favourite Dr Ranj. The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan at Mayflower Theatre was described as 'the best yet' by our reviewer.
The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan at Mayflower Theatre in Southampton. (Image: Stuart Martin/Mayflower Theatre)
Elsewhere, Beauty and the Beast, starring TV's Sue Holderness (Only Fools and Horses) and Tyger Drew-Honey (Outnumbered) opened in Fareham, Puss in Boots came to Theatre Royal Winchester and Tink was at The Point Eastleigh.
There was Christmas delivery chaos with Evri seemingly coming in for the most criticism from residents. One of their drivers was arrested after 120 parcels were stolen in the week before Christmas and another courier was sacked after the company's parcels were found littering the pavement.
A toy library which has provided free play to thousands of children for more than 50 years announced it was set to close at the end of the month. Community Playlink, which has more than 6,000 toys for children up to the age of 14 to borrow free of charge, had its funding withdrawn by Southampton City Council.
Community Playlink trustee Dot Capes. Picture: LDRS
Beards and Boards in Bedford Place fell victim to the economic situation, following other Southampton craft ale bars in announcing it will close for good on New Year's Eve.
Another pub favourite, Belgium and Blues, was forced to close temporarily after suffering substantial flooding.
Former Southampton teacher Edward Waller was convicted of sexual offences against a vulnerable pupil he groomed and manipulated at St Anne's Catholic School and Sixth Form College 20 years ago.
Jack Stott was jailed for eight years after raping a woman at an address in Swaythling.
A grieving mum discovered that the grave of her two-year-old son had been vandalised as St Mary's Extra Cemetery.
A man suffered a broken leg in a broad daylight stabbing attack in East Park in the city centre.
Around 100 runners took part in the event (Image: NQ)
Hundreds of festive runners dressed as Father Christmas as they took on festive charity Santa Dash events at St Mary's Stadium and through the streets of Totton and Lymington.
More than 20 tractors rolled through the countryside decorated with Christmas lights to remember George Dillon, who died in a car crash in May 2023. Mum Angie organised the convoy to raise money for a good cause.
Pupils, staff and governors lined the pavement outside Great Oaks School as the funeral procession of inspirational headteacher Andy Evans made a final visit to the Southampton school he dedicated nearly two decades to leading.
Many residents formally objected to controversial plans to convert a former hotel on Shirley High Street into a large house of multiple occupation. Residents and councillors raised concerns about overdevelopment, parking, noise and the future character of the area after plans were submitted for the former Shirley Hotel site.