A court has sentenced Vickrum Digwa to life imprisonment for the killing of Polish student Henry Nowak, a case that has triggered outrage in Southampton after the release of police body-cam footage from the scene. The video shows officers handcuffing the critically injured 18-year-old rather than immediately providing aid, while Nowak can be heard saying he cannot breathe and that he has been stabbed. The footage has intensified scrutiny of the police response and raised serious questions about whether proper emergency procedures were followed.
According to reports, Digwa attacked Nowak on 3 December 2025 with a traditional Sikh knife known as a kirpan. When officers arrived, Digwa allegedly misled police by claiming he had acted in self-defense after being attacked by the Polish victim in a racially motivated incident. Based on that account, police restrained Nowak. He was not given the medical assistance he urgently needed and died shortly afterward. The published recording has since become the central point of public anger, with many describing the response as a fatal failure by the authorities.
The case has sparked protests in Southampton, where large crowds gathered in anger over the handling of the incident and the circumstances of Nowak’s death. Demonstrations turned violent in some areas, with participants throwing bottles, flares and bricks at police. Two people were arrested after the unrest, and further arrests remain possible as officers review video evidence from the protests. The disorder has turned a criminal case into a wider public crisis, fueling debate about trust in law enforcement and the treatment of victims in emergency situations.
Britain’s Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood condemned the violence, calling the escalation “shameful” and saying that while people’s emotions are understandable, there is no justification for using the tragedy to encourage more disorder. Officials also stressed that the family of Henry Nowak does not want the case to be exploited to inflame hatred or deepen tensions. The family’s appeal for calm has been widely reported by British media as an effort to prevent further unrest.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer also reacted strongly after the footage was made public, describing it as “horrific” and saying he felt deeply distressed watching it. Police have apologized for the incident and said they were misled by the attacker’s version of events. Still, criticism of the response has continued, particularly from Nowak’s father, who has described the officers’ actions as inhuman and humiliating. The case has prompted a broader national conversation about police standards, accountability and how officers should respond when a suspect’s account conflicts with visible signs of severe injury.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct has launched an investigation into the conduct of the officers involved. The findings are expected within three months.
