Henry Nowak repeatedly told his killer, "I'm not a racist," as he lay dying from stab wounds, according to newly released court transcripts. Vickrum Digwa, 23, fatally stabbed Nowak, a finance student at the University of Southampton, with an eight-inch ceremonial dagger.
Digwa falsely told the first officers on the scene that Nowak had shouted racist abuse, punched him, and knocked off his turban. This led to Nowak, the actual victim, being arrested while he was still bleeding out on the ground. Police officers reportedly told the injured Nowak, "I don't think you have mate" when he stated he had been stabbed.
Digwa was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 21 years for the murder. The handling of the case by Hampshire Police has drawn significant criticism.
New court documents reveal that Andrew Mortimore, a neighbor, heard a male voice say, "I’m not racist," during the altercation outside the apartment block. Nicholas Lobbenberg KC, the prosecutor, informed the court that these were Nowak's final words as he lay dying, and that he was denying being the attacker.
According to the documents, Digwa's brother, Gurpreet, called the police and falsely claimed Nowak had racially attacked his brother. In the background, Nowak could be heard pleading, "No, I didn't."
Nowak's former girlfriend, who is of Jamaican and Irish descent, testified that race had never been an issue in their relationship and that Nowak was proud of her heritage, directly refuting the claims made by Digwa's family. Judge William Mousley KC stated he was certain Nowak had not made any racist remarks.
The transcripts also reveal Digwa was captured on camera saying, "I am a bad man," prior to the attack. Later, in a bugged police van, Digwa admitted to stabbing Nowak when questioned by his brother Gurpreet. Gurpreet questioned why Digwa used the ceremonial dagger, known as a kirpan, to which Digwa responded, "I am a fool. I'm an idiot."
It was previously reported that it took police eight minutes to discover the fatal stab wound on Nowak. Officers attempted CPR when he was unresponsive, only realizing he was bleeding from the nose. The extent of his injuries became fully apparent after his clothes were removed. One officer can be heard asking, "Has he been stabbed there?" before realizing he was applying pressure to a stab wound.
Nowak died from blood loss shortly after his arrest. The two officers who first arrived at the scene are currently under investigation by the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) for potential gross misconduct.
In a separate case, Vickrum Digwa, along with his brother Gurpreet Digwa and father Moga Singh, have denied charges related to the possession of 55 offensive weapons. Their trial is scheduled for September 27.
