Henry Nowak Told Police "I Can't Breathe" While Handcuffed; Attorney General Reviews Killer's Sentence
Student Henry Nowak, 18, pleaded "I can't breathe" multiple times to officers while being handcuffed as he lay dying from stab wounds, bodycam footage has confirmed. Nowak, a Southampton university student, was restrained after Vickrum Digwa, 23, falsely accused him of a racist assault at the scene of the 2025 stabbing.
Digwa was sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum term of 21 years, for fatally stabbing Mr Nowak with a 21cm blade. Digwa claimed he carried the weapon as part of his Sikh faith, though the Sikh Federation has stated it was not a traditional kirpan.
Police Actions Under Scrutiny
Mr Nowak's family has labelled the police's treatment of their son as "inhumane and degrading"; the force has since issued an apology. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) confirmed an investigation into the officers' conduct is ongoing. Mark Nowak, Henry's father, highlighted that his son told officers he could not breathe nine times and stated he had been stabbed four times, to which an officer responded, "I don't think you have, mate."
The Attorney General's Office is considering Digwa's sentence after receiving several requests for review under the unduly lenient sentence scheme. This comes as Reform UK leader Nigel Farage criticised the handling of the incident, alleging a "two tier culture" in Britain. However, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused Farage of exacerbating divisions, insisting on equal treatment for all by the police. Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey condemned the murder and the police's response as "evil".
Broader Implications and Responses
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones described Nowak's death as a "national tragedy" and called for an urgent review of legislation concerning bladed articles carried for religious purposes. While current law provides a defence for practising Sikhs carrying a small, curved kirpan, the weapon used by Digwa was significantly larger and carried openly.
Digwa's mother, Kiran Kaur, is awaiting sentencing for assisting an offender. The Sikh community has condemned Digwa's actions, stating he was barred from a Southampton place of worship prior to the murder due to past behaviour.
