Body camera footage released by police shows the final moments of 18-year-old university student Henry Nowak before he lost consciousness after being fatally stabbed in Southampton, as scrutiny continues over officers' actions at the scene.
The footage was released the same day Vickrum Digwa, 23, was sentenced to a minimum of 21 years in prison for murdering Nowak with a 21-centimeter ceremonial dagger on Belmont Road on December 3, 2025.
The case has drawn widespread attention worldwide because officers treated Nowak as a suspect after Digwa claimed he had been the victim of a racist attack. Police handcuffed Nowak while he was suffering from fatal stab wounds, from which he would later die.
Hampshire Constabulary has since apologised for the arrest, stating officers were responding to a confusing and fast-moving situation. The incident remains under investigation by a police watchdog.
The Crown Prosecution Service also released photographs of the weapon used in the attack, identified as a 21-centimeter blade. Prosecutors said Digwa was additionally carrying a smaller kirpan beneath his clothing.
Outside court following the sentencing hearing, Henry's father, Mark Nowak, criticised the police response and described what he said occurred during his son's final moments.
“With his final breaths, he told the officers that he could not breathe. He told them he had been stabbed. In fact, Henry told the officers that he could not breathe nine times. He told them he had been stabbed four times.
"The response from one officer was, 'I don’t think you have, mate.' Henry was then pulled across the gravel, his hands forced behind his back, and he was placed in handcuffs. Instead of being treated as a dying victim, police formally arrested Henry for assault and read him his rights. That was the last thing he heard. Henry did not die with dignity. He did not die with the care he deserved. He lost consciousness before anyone believed him."
Digwa, of St Denys, was convicted of murder after prosecutors said he stabbed Nowak five times during the attack.
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The footage was released the same day Vickrum Digwa, 23, was sentenced to a minimum of 21 years in prison for murdering Nowak with a 21-centimeter ceremonial dagger on Belmont Road on December 3, 2025.
The case has drawn widespread attention worldwide because officers treated Nowak as a suspect after Digwa claimed he had been the victim of a racist attack. Police handcuffed Nowak while he was suffering from fatal stab wounds, from which he would later die.
Hampshire Constabulary has since apologised for the arrest, stating officers were responding to a confusing and fast-moving situation. The incident remains under investigation by a police watchdog.
The Crown Prosecution Service also released photographs of the weapon used in the attack, identified as a 21-centimeter blade. Prosecutors said Digwa was additionally carrying a smaller kirpan beneath his clothing.
Outside court following the sentencing hearing, Henry's father, Mark Nowak, criticised the police response and described what he said occurred during his son's final moments.
“With his final breaths, he told the officers that he could not breathe. He told them he had been stabbed. In fact, Henry told the officers that he could not breathe nine times. He told them he had been stabbed four times.
"The response from one officer was, 'I don’t think you have, mate.' Henry was then pulled across the gravel, his hands forced behind his back, and he was placed in handcuffs. Instead of being treated as a dying victim, police formally arrested Henry for assault and read him his rights. That was the last thing he heard. Henry did not die with dignity. He did not die with the care he deserved. He lost consciousness before anyone believed him."
Digwa, of St Denys, was convicted of murder after prosecutors said he stabbed Nowak five times during the attack.
This is a breaking story.
