Newly released bodycam footage shows Vickrum Digwa repeatedly lying to police about Henry Nowak's death, falsely accusing the dying student of racism and aggression. Digwa, who fatally stabbed Nowak with a ceremonial Sikh sword, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder but was not handcuffed, while Nowak, who was bleeding to death, was restrained by officers.
As medics performed CPR on Nowak yards away, Digwa accused him of being racist and using racial slurs. An officer responded, "I know mate, I know." Digwa also claimed Nowak had torn his turban, despite footage showing his hair neatly tied when paramedics arrived, only to be loose later. He also falsely attributed Nowak's wounds to climbing on bins, rather than the stabbing itself.
Digwa further told an officer he had been stabbed, a claim dismissed by the officer. The video appears to support claims that Digwa received different treatment from Hampshire police compared to Nowak, a situation described as "unbearable" by the victim's family.
It emerged this week that police took eight minutes to discover the stab wound that killed the 18-year-old. Nowak bled to death in December after being handcuffed by officers who initially believed Digwa's claims of racial abuse. The bodycam footage, which contributed to riots in Southampton, showed officers initially disregarding Nowak's statements about being stabbed.
Hampshire Police released a transcript of the recording amid public criticism. The transcript details the moment officers realized Nowak was not breathing, leading to attempts to save him. The recording begins with Nowak handcuffed, with officers noting he was not breathing. They removed the handcuffs as they began chest compressions, with paramedics providing guidance over the phone. The officers discovered Nowak's stab wound while cutting away his clothing.
At Digwa's sentencing, Judge William Mousley KC acknowledged that the officers had been given a "convincing but wholly false narrative" and that the shock of discovering the wound while performing CPR indicated the officer was doing his best in a difficult situation. Police have apologized to Nowak's family, stating that a pathologist confirmed nothing could have been done to save him due to extensive internal bleeding.
The incident has fueled accusations of "two-tier policing," with critics suggesting Nowak was disbelieved because he was white. Current National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) guidance emphasizes avoiding a "color-blind" approach. Sir Stephen Watson, Chief Constable of Greater Manchester, called for a review of such guidance, stating that "fairness" should not involve "activism and social engineering" and that impartiality must be prioritized.
Digwa was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 21 years for the murder. He had previously been investigated in 2023 for alleged theft of ceremonial blades from a Sikh temple, but no further action was taken.
Nowak's family has called for a return to "common-sense policing." Kemi Badenoch, a Conservative leader, criticized police for prioritizing "box ticking" and criticized senior leaders for allowing what she termed "ill-advised frameworks" to influence policing. She suggested Nowak's death, like the Stephen Lawrence killing, should serve as a turning point.