SOUTHAMPTON — Vickrum Digwa, 23, was jailed for life with a minimum term of 21 years for the murder of Henry Nowak. Digwa falsely claimed Nowak had racially abused him.

Nowak was stabbed multiple times in December 2025 while walking back to his student accommodation in Southampton. He died after becoming unconscious following his arrest. Police body-worn camera footage showed Nowak repeatedly stating, "I've been stabbed."

A police officer initially responded to Nowak's statement by saying, "You've been stabbed? Whereabouts? Don't think you have, mate." Approximately eight minutes passed before officers discovered Nowak's stab wound after arresting him. Between five minutes and 24 seconds and seven minutes and 33 seconds into the footage, a female police officer requested a torch and scissors to check for stab wounds. After seven minutes and 33 seconds, an officer cut Nowak's clothing and found a stab mark.

Police officer one was heard on the footage exclaiming, "I'm pushing on a fucking stab wound" after the discovery. The officer also stated, "I'm not sure he's breathing." A female police officer called for an ambulance and reported that Nowak's pupils were not reacting. Officers then uncuffed Nowak and began CPR. When a paramedic arrived, an officer informed them, "We just discovered a stab wound in his chest."

Robert France, Hampshire's temporary deputy chief constable, apologised on behalf of the officers involved. France stated the officers were "lied to" and would have been unaware of the injury. He added, "I'm sorry that he was handcuffed and arrested in the moments before he lost consciousness." France also said, "I want to apologise, I want to say that I am sorry that Henry couldn't be saved that night."

The Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating Hampshire police's response to the incident. A jury inquest into Nowak's death is scheduled for next year at Winchester coroner's court to examine whether any act or omission by a police officer caused or contributed to his death.