New video shows Henry Nowak's killer lying to police, telling officers he was 'racially attacked'

A newly-released video shows Vickrum Digwa lying to officers, saying he had been "racially attacked" by Henry Nowak.

Digwa, 23, was handed a life sentence with a minimum of 21 years in prison on 1 June for the murder of Mr Nowak in Southampton, after falsely accusing the student of launching a racist attack.

A three-minute police body-worn video showed the 18-year-old being handcuffed moments before he became unconscious as he lay dying from stab wounds.

The case sparked outrage and violent protests amid claims the police had not believed Mr Nowak when he told them he had been stabbed.

Now, new police body-worn camera footage has been released, showing Digwa telling officers at the scene that Mr Nowak was drunk and had racially attacked him.

These comments were described in court as "wicked lies" about Mr Nowak, with Digwa's trial told that Mr Nowak's alcohol intake was below the drink-drive limit.

Digwa can also be heard denying any knowledge when asked about a wound suffered by Mr Nowak.

Separately, Hampshire Constabulary has confirmed that after being arrested, Digwa was not handcuffed apart from when he was being taken to and from court.

In the footage, Digwa says: "I was literally just walking in and I've seen [him]. He's then barged into me. I kinda said to him, 'Clearly, you're drunk'. I could smell, like you can smell the alcohol."

He adds that Mr Nowak called him a racial slur before saying to Digwa that he was a "bad man" and Digwa responded, "Yeah, I'm a bad man", as Mr Nowak started recording him.

He continues: "Obviously, then I just push him away, he's then grabbed me, then started grabbing my turban and pulled my hair, started grabbing my hair, he was, like, punching me and all that sort of stuff."

After Digwa is arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, he tells the officer: "I have been racially attacked."

A longer transcript of separate footage previously released by the Crown Prosecution Service showed the moment officers realised Mr Nowak had been stabbed.

In body-worn camera footage from the incident, Mr Nowak can be heard repeatedly saying: "I've been stabbed," to which an officer replies: "You've been stabbed?

"Whereabouts? Don't think you have, mate."

The officer later says, "he's saying he's been stabbed so let's just check him and see", and a female police officer calls for an ambulance, describing how Mr Nowak's pupils are not reacting before the video ends.

In the transcript of the footage, an officer identified as police officer one said: "I'm not sure he's breathing."

The officers uncuffed Mr Nowak and started CPR, with an officer cutting his clothing and police officer one asking if he has been stabbed there, with an unseen gesture, after seven minutes and 33 seconds.

The female officer replies: "Yes, he's got a stab… there's a mark there."

Police officer one continues CPR before telling a paramedic arriving on the scene that "we just discovered a stab wound in his chest". The recording ends after eight minutes and 49 seconds.

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It was released with no objection from Mr Nowak's family, and after consultation with Hampshire Constabulary.

The case has been referred to the police watchdog - the Independent Office for Police Conduct - to investigate the officers' actions.

Temporary Deputy Chief Constable Robert France, of Hampshire Constabulary, previously apologised on behalf of the officers for being unaware of Mr Nowak's injuries.

The jury inquest into his death next year at Winchester Coroner's Court will also look at whether any "act or omission by a police officer" caused or contributed to his death.

(c) Sky News 2026: New video shows Henry Nowak's killer lying to police, telling officers he was 'racially attacked