Nowak jury inquest to probe actions of police
Jury Inquest to Examine Police Conduct in Henry Nowak Death
A formal jury inquest has been scheduled to determine if the actions or inactions of police officers played a role in the death of Henry Nowak. The 18-year-old student from Chafford Hundred, Essex, was detained and handcuffed by officers in Southampton after his assailant, 23-year-old Vickrum Digwa, omitted the fact that he had stabbed Nowak with an 8-inch (21cm) blade.
Hampshire coroner Jason Pegg resumed proceedings by noting that the complete details surrounding Nowak’s death on December 3 have yet to receive thorough examination. Consequently, a full inquest involving a jury will take place on September 20, 2027, though the coroner expressed a desire to potentially advance this date.
During the earlier trial at Southampton Crown Court, it was revealed that Nowak repeatedly informed responding officers that he had been stabbed and was struggling to breathe as he lay dying. When the teenager lost consciousness, an officer initiated CPR, unaware of the severity of the chest wound. Highlighting the core question of the upcoming inquest, Coroner Pegg stated, "An issue in this case is likely to be whether any act or omission by police officers… caused or contributed to the death."
Digwa, who claimed that Nowak had attacked him, was sentenced on Monday to life in prison with a minimum term of 21 years. During the sentencing hearing, Judge William Mousley KC cited the pathologist’s conclusion that "no emergency medical treatment would have permitted access to the bleeding vein." The judge explained, "In simple terms, he would not have survived, however quickly he received first aid, CPR or expert medical treatment."
Coroner Pegg emphasized that the state has a "duty to carry out a public investigation... in which Henry's family can fully participate," a right that was not available to them during the criminal trial. The Nowak family was not present for the brief, eight-minute hearing held in Winchester.
Source: BBC News Generated at: 2026-06-04 10:16:47 UTC
