Two Hampshire police officers are being investigated for potential gross misconduct after murdered student Henry Nowak was handcuffed in his final moments.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said the officers are also being probed over their alleged failure to recognise the University of Southampton student needed urgent medical attention after he was stabbed by Vickrum Digwa.
The watchdog said: ‘There’s also an indication one of the officers may have breached the standard relating to authority, respect and courtesy, for appearing to dismiss Henry saying he had been stabbed.’
Digwa was jailed for life with a minimum term of 21 years for the 18-year-old’s murder. The sentence has since been referred to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Scheme.
After stabbing Henry, Digwa falsely claimed he was the victim of the attack. He claimed Henry had called him a ‘P***’ and knocked his turban off.
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Harrowing bodycam footage showed the moment Henry appealed to officers for help as they arrested him.
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Henry can be heard repeatedly saying: ‘I’ve been stabbed,’ and: ‘I can’t breathe.’
To this, an officer responds: ‘You’ve been stabbed? Whereabouts? I don’t think you have, mate.’
Digwa was also filmed by his victim, telling him: ‘I am a bad man’ just moments before the knife attack.
Henry suffered two stab wounds to the back of his legs and a fatal wound to his heart.
He was pronounced dead at the scene on December 4, 2025.
This is a breaking news story and is being updated.