Murdered student Henry Nowak told police 'I can't breathe' while handcuffed

An 18-year-old student who was handcuffed as he lay dying after being stabbed told officers "I can't breathe" nine times, his father has said.

The killer of Southampton university student Henry Nowak, 23-year-old Vickrum Digwa, lied to police attending the scene of the stabbing in December 2025, that he had been the victim of a racist attack.

On Monday, Digwa was jailed for life to serve a minimum of 21 years for stabbing Mr Nowak with a 21cm (8in) blade he said he carried as part of his Sikh faith to stab Nowak.

The student's family called his treatment by police "inhumane and degrading" and the force has apologised.

The attorney general's office is considering the jail sentence given to Digwa after receiving "multiple requests" to review it under the unduly lenient sentence (ULS) scheme.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said an investigation into the police force's actions was ongoing.

Warning: This story contains details some may find upsetting

The trial heard that Digwa lied to police, falsely claiming he was the victim and alleging he had been subjected to racist abuse.

Bodycam footage released by the force, with the family's permission, appears to show Nowak, who had received two stab wounds on the back his legs and a fatal wound to his heart, pleading, "I've been stabbed" while he is being handcuffed.

In the footage a police officer arriving at the scene can be heard asking: "What's your name, mate?" before Mr Nowak, who is lying on his back on the ground, faintly replies: "Henry."

Digwa then steps into the frame claiming Mr Nowak had taken his turban off and grabbed him by the hair.

The officer asks Digwa: "Are you injured?" to which Digwa replies: "Yeah, yeah, I've got a swollen eye here, a little bruise here."

Officers then turn to Nowak who can be heard grunting and repeating "I've been stabbed" and then "I can't breathe" while he is made to sit up to be handcuffed.

The officer can be heard asking: "You've been stabbed, whereabouts?" before adding: "Don't think you have, mate."

While being handcuffed, Nowak says "I can't breathe" another three times.

The officer can be heard saying: "He says he's been stabbed, so let's just check him" and appears to briefly lift his shirt around the belt area before Nowak is left to lie on his side.

A female officer can then be heard asking: "Where do you think he's been stabbed? In the face?" to which a male voice replies: "He hasn't been stabbed."