British Man Jailed for Life for Stabbing Student to Death; Police Bodycam Shows Victim Handcuffed at Scene

Vickrum Digwa, 23, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years on June 1, 2026, for the murder of 18-year-old university student Henry Nowak. The attack occurred on December 3 in Southampton, where Digwa used a 21cm (8-inch) blade he claimed he carried as part of his Sikh faith to stab Nowak, who was walking home alone after a night out with friends. Judge William Mousley KC told Southampton Crown Court that Digwa had brought "shame" upon his family and his religion, dismissing his claims that he acted in self-defense after being racially abused by the victim.

Court Proceedings and Sentencing

The packed courtroom heard that Digwa, from Southampton, had lied to police by portraying Nowak as a "racist, drunk, violent aggressor," according to prosecuting barrister Nicholas Lobbenberg KC. Lobbenberg described Digwa as having a "weapons obsession," adding that his false depiction "compounds the natural grief and loss of the deceased's family." Judge Mousley dismissed the racism claims, stating Digwa's actions had "stirred up racial tension in Southampton and across the country which have made many Sikhs worried about their safety." The judge noted that Digwa was sober but was carrying a large Sikh dagger, and said he had murdered a "much-loved" young man, inflicting a "lifetime of loss upon his family."

Police Bodycam Footage and Response

Bodycam footage released by the Crown Prosecution Service, with the family's permission, shows officers arriving at the scene on Belmont Road in Southampton. The video captures Nowak on the ground, repeatedly saying "I've been stabbed" and "I can't breathe." Officers are seen turning Nowak onto his side and handcuffing his hands behind his back. After a couple of minutes, Nowak becomes unresponsive. An officer then tells him he is under arrest for assault. The police subsequently contact an ambulance to check on Nowak. Temporary Deputy Chief Constable Robert France apologized for the police response, saying officers had been lied to in a 999 call made by Digwa's brother and had faced an "extremely complex" crime scene.

Victim's Family Reaction and Calls for Investigation

Speaking outside court, the victim's father, Mark Nowak, described the contrast between how his son and Digwa were treated as "unbearable." He stated: "Henry should not have died on the streets of Southampton in police custody," calling it "inhumane and degrading." Mark Nowak added that Digwa "was afforded decency" and "we understand, he was never handcuffed at all." He said: "Henry did not die with dignity. He did not die with the care he deserved. He lost consciousness before anyone believed him." The father called for a "full, fearless and transparent" investigation into the police handling of the case, adding the family "should not have to fight for the truth." Inside the courtroom, Mark Nowak had said he was "tormented" by thoughts of his son's death. "I couldn't help Henry in his final moments and there is nothing I can do to bring him back," he said. With his voice breaking, he added: "To my dying son, who I love beyond words, I'm so sorry that I let this happen."

Political Reaction and Broader Context

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer commented on the case in a post on X, where he said: "This an awful, shocking case. Henry's loved ones have gone through the trauma of a long trial and endured Henry's killer making up appalling claims about their son who was thoughtful, kind and deeply loved." He added: "It is right that the IOPC is investigating the police's response to his senseless murder. And we must end the cycle of tragedy by tackling the horror of knife crime." Nowak, from Chafford Hundred in Essex, was a first-year student at the University of Southampton. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) for investigation.

Context

In similar cases, police handling of knife crime incidents has faced scrutiny. In 2023, the IOPC investigated the Metropolitan Police after officers handcuffed a stabbing victim at a scene in London, later ruling the actions were inappropriate. Another case in Birmingham in 2024 involved officers responding to a fatal stabbing where the victim was initially treated as a suspect due to misleading information from witnesses.