Newly released bodyworn camera footage shows Vickrum Digwa, the murderer of student Henry Nowak, lying to police officers about being racially attacked moments after the fatal stabbing. Digwa, 23, was jailed for life with a minimum of 20 years for stabbing Nowak five times in December last year.
False Claims of Racist Attack
When police arrived at the murder scene in Southampton, Digwa falsely claimed Nowak had racially abused him and knocked his turban off. This caused officers to arrest and handcuff the student before they saw his fatal injuries. In the footage released on Friday, Digwa tells officers that Nowak's bloody wounds were from a "punch" or because he "fell over" while climbing on bins.
Digwa can be heard lying about being racially attacked by Nowak, who he claims was "obviously drunk." He said Nowak attacked him and pulled his turban off. Digwa was not handcuffed when arrested for attempted murder, though Nowak had been handcuffed minutes earlier. When Digwa complains about being "racially attacked," an officer responds: "I know, I know, I know."
Father's Statements and Digwa's Account
Digwa's father, Moga Singh, is heard telling police: "My son's just been assaulted. The gentleman that's on the floor assaulted my son." Digwa then says: "He pushed my turban off my head and started grabbing my hair. So I'm a Sikh, obviously, and he started grabbing my hair and dragging me around."
He added: "My brother's seen it, stopped it, and that's where he's then started stumbling around, started climbing around all these bits and bobs and stuff like that." Digwa claimed Nowak called him a "Paki" and escalated the situation, despite Digwa telling him to "carry on with your day."
Police Interaction and Arrest
When asked about Nowak's wound, Digwa replied: "It must have been when we punched him. Must have been when we punched him. But he did fall over here, so he was climbing all over these bins and stuff like that and then he's fell over and landed on to that car." Upon arrest for attempted murder, Digwa pleaded: "What do you mean 'attempted murder'? Why am I getting arrested?"
The arresting officer said Digwa had "his side of the story" but police needed to find out what happened, adding: "I'm not saying you've done anything, mate." Digwa insisted: "Mate, I've been racially attacked," to which the officer responded: "I know, I know, I know."
Sentencing and Aftermath
Judge William Mousley KC told Digwa during sentencing: "I am sure that Henry had said nothing racist. You are the only person to make that claim and it is completely at odds with his previous character." Prosecution noted footage before police arrival showed Digwa with his turban on, suggesting he removed it to appear as the victim.
Nowak had started recording Digwa after seeing him carrying an eight-inch Sikh ceremonial blade. That footage has not been publicly released. Digwa's lies led to Nowak being arrested and handcuffed while dying, with Nowak exclaiming "I can't breathe." The false accusation sparked violence in Southampton, with 25 rioters charged with violent disorder. Hampshire Constabulary is under investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct over the arrest.
