Tragic Henry Nowak’s family was concerned that the police would portray their son as the instigator following his brutal killing, according to reports. Hampshire Police had intended to release a statement suggesting that Henry, 18, had attacked both Vickrum Digwa and his brother, as initially conveyed in a police communication mentioning an assault by an unidentified male.
Upon the identification of Henry’s body three days post his murder, the police reportedly informed his family of an upcoming update that would once again insinuate his role as the initial aggressor, with allegations of racial abuse still lingering. However, it was revealed that Digwa, described as “weapons-obsessed” and carrying a Sikh ceremonial knife, had stabbed Henry and falsely accused him of racial abuse. After Henry’s family vehemently opposed the tarnishing of his reputation, authorities omitted any reference to racism in the statement, only citing an “altercation.”
Digwa was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years for the murder of Henry in Southampton. A secretly recorded conversation in Punjabi between Digwa and his brother Gurpreet, where Digwa admitted to the stabbing and planned to claim self-defense, took place two days after the murder. The incident led to a reevaluation of the case by Attorney General Lord Hermer, who may refer it to the Court of Appeal.
Henry’s family emphasized that they do not want his death to incite division, expressing disappointment over protests in Southampton. Henry was fatally stabbed while returning home, with police accused of neglecting his pleas for help and wrongly detaining him while injured. Bodycam footage captured his distress, with Mark Nowak, Henry’s father, criticizing the disparate treatment between his son and Digwa, as well as the lack of belief in Henry’s account.
Judge William Mousley, during Digwa’s sentencing, dismissed the claim of racism against Henry, highlighting the inconsistency with Digwa’s character. Hampshire Police has been contacted for comment on the matter.