Title: Bodycam Footage Reveals Officers Cuffed Henry Nowak While He Was Dying

Police have released body-worn camera video capturing the moment officers handcuffed 18-year-old Henry Nowak as he was bleeding out. Due to the harrowing nature of the content, the BBC has edited out audio from certain segments of the recording.

The footage, recorded in December, depicts the arrest of Vickrum Digwa, who falsely claimed he acted in self-defense after being racially abused by the teenager. Digwa told police that his turban had been knocked off and that he had sustained injuries. Authorities confirmed they consulted with Nowak’s family prior to releasing the video, which was also presented during the trial.

On Monday, Digwa, 23, was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 21 years. The court heard that he used a 21cm (8in) knife, which he claimed to carry as part of his Sikh faith, to kill Nowak. The victim was walking home alone after a night out with friends in Southampton on December 3. The judge explicitly rejected Digwa’s allegations of racism.

Speaking outside the courthouse, the victim’s father, Mark Nowak, described the disparity in how his son and the attacker were treated as "unbearable." He stated, "Henry should not have died on the streets of Southampton in police custody," condemning the treatment as "inhumane and degrading."

Mark Nowak noted that Digwa "was afforded decency" and observed that the attacker was "never handcuffed at all." Reflecting on the tragedy, he added, "Henry did not die with dignity. He did not die with the care he deserved. He lost consciousness before anyone believed him."

Source: BBC News Generated at: 2026-06-02 15:09:18 UTC