An unusual move by UK police that risked jeopardising the “integrity” of murderer Vickrum Digwa’s trial has been revealed, stoking further outrage. The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary attempted to share a statement addressing what they described as “disinformation” during the trial, but the Crown Prosecution Service advised against it, warning it could compromise the case.
Police Attempt to Portray Victim as Aggressor
The police wanted to portray Digwa’s victim, Henry Nowak, as the aggressor in a statement released three days after his death. The initial draft referred to reports of an “assault” before Nowak’s grieving family objected, leading to the wording being changed to “altercation,” according to The Sunday Times.
This revelation comes after harrowing bodycam footage showed the arrest of 18-year-old stabbing victim Nowak as he bled to death, falsely accused of racism by his murderer. Digwa, a 23-year-old Sikh man, was found guilty of murder and carrying a knife in public after a two-week trial at Southampton Crown Court. He was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 21 years.
Details of the Incident
Digwa, described by prosecutors as obsessed with weapons, stabbed first-year finance student Henry Nowak five times with an eight-inch ceremonial blade as the teen walked home from a night out with his football teammates in December. Bodycam footage showed Nowak repeatedly saying “I’ve been stabbed” and “I can’t breathe” as arriving officers sided with his killer, who falsely claimed he had been racially abused and assaulted. One officer told Nowak, “You’ve been stabbed? Whereabouts? I don’t think you have, mate.”
The case has sparked violent protests and accusations of a “two-tier” policing system favouring ethnic minorities in the UK. Eleven police officers and a police dog were injured after being pelted with bricks and bins during chaos in Southampton.
Bodycam Footage Reveals Critical Errors
Nowak’s family gave permission for police to release the bodycam footage. The three-minute video, released late Monday night, shows officers arriving at the scene at 11:37 pm on December 3. Nowak can be heard pleading “I can’t breathe” as Digwa’s father holds him down, claiming the teen fell from a fence. Digwa tells officers, “He’s grabbed my brother, he’s took my turban off, started grabbing my hair… I’ve got swelling eye, little bruising.”
Officers grab Nowak and drag him across the driveway. Despite his repeated claims of being stabbed, an officer dismisses him: “You’ve been stabbed? Whereabouts? I don’t think you have, mate.” Police then roll Nowak onto his stomach and handcuff him as he cries out. “Put the hand in the cuff, mate,” an officer says, as Nowak gasps for air. A female officer asks, “Where do you think you’ve been stabbed? In the face?” Meanwhile, Digwa’s family insists, “He hasn’t been stabbed.” The officer responds, “I know, but we have to check, don’t we?”
Nowak’s final words are “Please, brother, I can’t breathe.” He then loses consciousness. Officers read him his rights for assault, saying, “At the moment you are under arrest, that’s for assault.” They eventually realise he needs medical attention, with one officer noting, “He’s going to be sick, I think.” A female officer radios for an ambulance, saying, “We’ve got this male, he’s been beat up.” Another officer examines Nowak and remarks, “His pupils aren’t even reacting.” The video ends as officers belatedly attempt first aid.
Nowak, a keen footballer described by his family as a “soft, gentle soul” who “lit up a room,” was pronounced dead at 12:37 am. Before police arrived, Digwa’s brother and parents had gathered at the scene. His mother, Kiran Kaur, picked up the knife used in the killing and hid it in the family home. She was found guilty of assisting an offender.
