In a harrowing case that has ignited fury across Britain, 18-year-old university student Henry Nowak repeatedly gasped “I’ve been stabbed… I’ve been stabbed” as he lay bleeding out on a Southampton street – only for police officers to handcuff him on the word of his attacker, who falsely claimed the dying teen had racially abused him.

Bodycam footage, now released with the family’s permission, captures the teenager’s desperate final minutes in excruciating detail: blood filling his lungs, struggling to breathe, begging for an ambulance while officers appear to dismiss his pleas and restrain him. Henry would die at the scene from multiple stab wounds inflicted by a stranger wielding an eight-inch ceremonial dagger.

Daily Mail can reveal the full disturbing story behind this tragedy that has not only devastated a family but exposed deep failures in policing, knife crime policies, and public trust – fuelling protests, accusations of “two-tier policing,” and urgent calls for reform as the killer is jailed for life.

The Night That Ended a Bright Young Life

It was December 3, 2025, a seemingly ordinary night out for Henry Nowak, a first-year Accounting and Finance student at the University of Southampton. The British-Polish teenager, described by friends and family as kind-hearted, hardworking, and full of potential, had been enjoying time with his football teammates at the Hobbit pub in Bevois Valley.

CCTV footage shows Henry leaving the pub and walking home towards his student accommodation along Belmont Road. His path took him past St Denys Road, where 23-year-old Vickrum Singh Digwa lived. What started as a chance encounter on the street quickly turned deadly.

According to court evidence, Digwa – who was carrying two knives as part of his Sikh faith, including a large 21cm (eight-inch) dagger sheathed around his neck – launched a vicious attack. He stabbed the defenceless Henry five times: a fatal wound to the chest that pierced his heart, plus multiple wounds to his legs. Henry never had a chance to defend himself properly.

Digwa’s brother Gurpreet called 999. When police arrived, the killer allegedly spun a web of lies, claiming Henry had started a drunken fight and subjected him to racial abuse. Officers, acting on this account, turned their attention to the wounded Henry.

Chilling Bodycam Footage: Final Minutes of Terror and Neglect

The newly released bodycam video is nothing short of heartbreaking. Henry, clearly in agony, is heard repeating over and over: “I’ve been stabbed… I’ve been stabbed.” He tells officers he can’t breathe as blood fills his lungs. One officer reportedly responds, “I don’t think you have, mate,” before proceeding to handcuff the dying student.

Footage shows Henry pleading for help, struggling as officers make him sit up to apply cuffs. He collapses. Paramedics were eventually called, but it was too late. Henry was pronounced dead at the scene. The entire horrifying sequence has left the nation stunned and angry.

Henry’s father, Mark Nowak, spoke emotionally outside court: his son told officers he could not breathe nine times and that he had been stabbed four times. “Henry did not die with dignity,” the family has said, calling for knife crime to be treated as a national emergency.

The Killer: Vickrum Digwa and the Ceremonial Dagger

Vickrum Singh Digwa, then 23, was convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years. The judge highlighted that while Digwa carried the large dagger as part of his Sikh faith (a kirpan), it came with “huge responsibility” and should only be used defensively as a last resort.

Digwa had a “weapon obsession,” according to reports, and was also carrying a smaller traditional kirpan. He claimed religious reasons for the blades, but the court rejected any justification for the unprovoked attack. Digwa’s lies to police about racial abuse and who started the fight directly contributed to the mishandling of the scene.

The Sikh community has largely condemned Digwa’s actions, with groups like the Sikh Federation (UK) expressing disgust and distancing themselves from the misuse of religious articles.

Police Response Under Fire: Apology, Investigation, and Public Backlash

Hampshire Police have issued a public apology for the distressing footage and launched an internal investigation into the officers’ actions. Chief Constable Alexis Boon has faced questions over training and response protocols in knife crime incidents.

Critics point to apparent hesitation to treat Henry as the victim despite visible injuries and his clear pleas. Instead of immediate first aid, the focus shifted to restraining him based on the attacker’s false narrative. This has sparked widespread accusations of “two-tier policing,” with claims that officers were overly cautious due to fears of racial tensions.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has acknowledged “serious questions” for the police but rejected broader claims of systemic bias. Protests following the footage’s release turned violent in some areas, injuring officers and even a police dog.

Family’s Heartbreaking Grief and Call for Justice

The Nowak family, originally from Poland with deep roots in the UK, is devastated. Henry was just months into university life, excited about his studies and football. Tributes from the University of Southampton describe him as a promising young man with a bright future.

In statements, they have stressed that while they seek accountability from police, their primary focus remains on the killer. “Knife crime must be a national emergency,” they declared, urging tougher sentencing and restrictions on carrying blades, even ceremonial ones.

Friends recall Henry as friendly and outgoing, the kind of student who brought energy to any room. His death has left a void in the close-knit student community.

Broader Context: Britain’s Knife Crime Crisis

Henry’s murder is tragically not isolated. The UK continues to grapple with rising knife crime, particularly among young people. Southampton, like many cities, has seen its share of stabbings, prompting renewed debates on stop-and-search powers, youth intervention programs, and the role of religious exemptions for blades.

The case has amplified discussions about public carry of kirpans and similar items. While religious freedom is protected, the judge in Digwa’s case made clear that size and context matter – an eight-inch dagger goes far beyond symbolic protection.

Timeline of Tragedy

• Evening of Dec 3, 2025: Henry enjoys night out with football friends at Hobbit pub.
• Late Night: Encounter on street near St Denys Road. Digwa stabs Henry five times.
• Police Arrival: Digwa lies about racial abuse. Officers handcuff bleeding Henry.
• Final Moments: Bodycam captures pleas of “I’ve been stabbed” and “I can’t breathe.”
• Death at Scene: Henry pronounced dead.
• Investigation & Trial: Digwa convicted; sentenced to life (min 21 years) in June 2026.
• Footage Release: Sparks national outrage, protests, and police apology.

Expert Voices: Failures in Training and Response

Criminologists and policing experts have weighed in, suggesting officers may have prioritised de-escalation and suspect narratives over obvious medical emergencies. Bodycam protocols are under review nationwide. Mental health first aid and rapid trauma assessment training are being called for.

Victim support groups highlight how bystanders and false accusations can complicate scenes, costing precious minutes in life-or-death situations.

National Outrage and Protests

The release of the footage has mobilised thousands. Demonstrations in Southampton, London, and other cities have demanded justice for Henry and systemic change. While most are peaceful, some clashes have occurred, underscoring public frustration with knife crime and perceived policing inconsistencies.

Social media has exploded with tributes, anger, and calls to #JusticeForHenry. Politicians from across the spectrum have commented, with opposition figures using it to attack government handling of law and order.

Henry’s Legacy: A Call for Change

Though his life was cruelly cut short, Henry’s story is galvanising action. His family hopes it leads to stricter knife laws, better police training, and an end to the normalisation of carrying weapons – religious or otherwise.

University colleagues and football teammates plan memorials, scholarships, and awareness events in his name. The young man who came to Southampton full of dreams leaves behind a powerful reminder of the human cost of unchecked violence.

As the investigation into police conduct continues alongside the nation’s soul-searching, one thing is clear: Henry Nowak’s final words – “I’ve been stabbed… I can’t breathe” – will not be forgotten. They echo as a damning indictment of failures that night and a rallying cry for a safer Britain.

This case raises profound questions about trust in law enforcement, the balance of rights and responsibilities, and society’s ability to protect its young people. Daily Mail will continue to follow developments, including any outcomes from the police inquiry and further reactions from Henry’s loved ones.

Henry Nowak was robbed of his future in the most brutal way. The least the system can do is ensure no other family endures the same preventable agony.