UK4 min(s) read
Published 12:46 02 Jun 2026 GMT
Dying teen stab victim's final words as bodycam footage shows him being wrongfully arrested by cops
Newly released bodycam footage reveals the harrowing moment when student Henry Nowak's calls for help from British police weren't taken seriously, after he was stabbed multiple times.
The 18-year-old would die after telling officers, "I can't breathe," while police officers handcuffed him and pinned him to the ground.
Nowak, a student in Southampton, was the subject of an attack by killer Vickrum Digwa, 23, who lied to police at the scene of the December 2025 stabbing, claiming he was the victim of a racist attack.
Footage released by Hampshire Police shows the Brit pleading with officers, saying "I've been stabbed", with one officer responding by saying: "I don't think you have mate," as reported by the BBC.
It would later be revealed that Digwa carried out the knife attack, which included a fatal wound to his heart.
What happened to Henry Nowak?
The student was attacked by Digwa, who gave him stab wounds to the back of his legs, and a fatal wound with a 21cm (8in) blade that the guilty party claimed he carried as part of his Sikh faith.
Officers could be seen handcuffing and arresting Nowak on suspicion of assault, while Digwa claimed to have a bruised eye.
Footage reveals that police dismissed Nowak's cries for help after sustaining the fatal injuries, as the teenager would die shortly after the incident on December 3, 2025.
Digwa was jailed for life, to serve a minimum of 21 years, at Southampton Crown Court on Monday (June 1).
The victim's family described the police's handling of the situation as “inhumane,” describing the difference between their treatment of Nowak and his murderer as “unbearable.”
Digwa's claims against Nowak
Digwa claimed he was racially attacked by Nowak, who he said punched him and knocked his turban off.
He even claimed that he had stabbed Novak in the back of the legs in self-defence, after Nowak allegedly threatened him and grabbed him by his hair.
Digwa said he didn't realise he had caused a fatal stab wound to Nowak’s chest.
Speaking in court, prosecutors said Digwa had told a "wicked lie" and that Nowak never racially assaulted him.
Digwa had been filmed by his victim, telling him he was "a bad man" before attacking Nowak - police have since apologised for handcuffing Nowak.
Nowak's family speaks out
Mark Nowak, the victim's father, said that police have to answer some serious questions about their conduct.
“Henry told officers that he could not breathe nine times,” he stated.
Mark added: “He told them he had been stabbed four times. Let me be absolutely clear. We hold Vikrum Digwa solely and 100 per cent responsible for the brutal murder of our son, but Henry should not have died on the streets of Southampton in police custody.
“The way he was treated was inhumane and degrading. His murderer however, was afforded decency. The contrast is unbearable.”
The father broke down in tears while in court, as he read out his victim impact statement, speaking about the devastation of losing his “beautiful son”.
He also said: “As a father, it is my job to protect my child and I failed to keep him safe, I was not there when he needed me most, the thought of him lying in the road, scared, bleeding to death will haunt me forever.”
Lucy, Henry's mother, described him as “ambitious, determined and full of life,” highlighting: “He had his whole life ahead of him, that future has been cruelly taken away,
“The impact of his loss has been devastating not only for me but for our entire family and for all who knew him, we are learning to support one another through this unimaginable grief, but the pain is constant, our family will never be the same.”