Henry Nowak (left) was killed by Vikram Singh Digwa (right) The murder of 18-year-old Henry Nowak by Sikh man Vickrum Singh Digwa sparked national outrage after police bodycam footage showed the Southampton student being handcuffed moments after he was stabbed. The incident triggered protests across the UK and drew reactions from prominent figures, ranging from Prime Minister Keir Starmer to billionaire Elon Musk.Nowak, a first-year University of Southampton student, was stabbed by 23-year-old Vickrum Singh Digwa while walking home after a night out with friends on December 3, 2025.Moments after the attack, Digwa allegedly claimed he had been racially abused and assaulted. When officers arrived, they handcuffed Nowak despite his repeated pleas that he had been stabbed and could not breathe.The release of police bodycam footage, Digwa’s subsequent murder conviction and nationwide protests transformed the case into a national flashpoint over policing, race and public trust. Timeline of events in Henry Nowak case December 3, 2025 Henry Nowak, 18, encountered Vickrum Singh Digwa while walking home in Southampton. Digwa stabbed Nowak five times after a confrontation. Digwa claimed racial abuse; police initially handcuffed Nowak. Bodycam footage captured Nowak saying, “I’ve been stabbed” and “I can’t breathe.” Officers later realised he had suffered catastrophic stab wounds and began CPR. Nowak died shortly after midnight. December 4, 2025 Police searched the Digwa family home. Officers recovered multiple offensive weapons, including swords, machetes, flick knives and knuckledusters. Investigators alleged Digwa’s mother, Kiran Kaur, had removed and concealed the murder weapon. December 8, 2025 Hampshire Police charged Vickrum Digwa with murder and possession of a bladed article. Early 2026 More than 650 mourners attended Nowak’s funeral at Brentwood Cathedral in January. Prosecutors alleged Digwa fabricated racial abuse claims to portray himself as the victim. Investigators accused Kiran Kaur of helping remove and hide the murder weapon. A covertly recorded conversation allegedly captured Digwa discussing the stabbing and agreeing to claim self-defence. May 2026 Digwa’s murder trial began at Southampton Crown Court. May 28, 2026 A jury found Digwa guilty of murder. He was also convicted of carrying a bladed weapon in public. Kiran Kaur was convicted of assisting an offender. Jurors rejected Digwa’s claims of racial abuse and self-defence. June 1, 2026 Digwa was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years. The judge described Nowak as unarmed and defenceless. Hampshire Police apologised for handcuffing the teenager after the stabbing. June 2, 2026 Digwa appeared in court on separate weapons charges. His father, Moga Singh, and brother, Gurpreet Digwa, also faced weapons-related charges. June 2026 Bodycam footage from the night of the killing was released. The footage triggered widespread outrage across the UK. “Justice for Henry Nowak” rallies were held in Southampton. Demonstrators demanded accountability for the police response. Disorder erupted during some protests, leaving police officers injured. Post-sentencing The Attorney General’s Office received requests to review Digwa’s sentence under the Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme. Prime Minister Keir Starmer met Nowak’s family and described the case as “awful” and “shocking”. How did protests unfold? Public anger intensified after details of the case and the bodycam footage emerged. In the footage, the teenager is seen lying on the ground as officers handcuff him and try to sit him up. He repeatedly tells police that he has been stabbed and is struggling to breathe.“You’ve been stabbed? Whereabouts?” one officer is heard asking. Another responds: “Don’t think you have, mate.”Hundreds gathered at “Justice for Henry Nowak” rallies in Southampton, calling for accountability and greater scrutiny of the police response.The case soon entered the political arena. Nigel Farage and Rupert Lowe repeatedly raised concerns about the handling of the incident, while Prime Minister Keir Starmer met members of Nowak’s family and pledged that lessons would be learned.Tech billionaire Elon Musk also commented on the case on social media, helping draw international attention to the controversy.As protests intensified, the Nowak family urged supporters to seek justice through lawful means and not allow Henry’s death to become a source of division. Source link Post Views: 2 Post navigation Karmelo Anthony trial: Attorney says he stabbed Austin Metcalf in defense, didn’t attack anyone else Drug smugglers Baltej Singh and Himatjit Kahlon lose final bid to overturn jail terms in NZ’s largest meth importation case
