Newly released bodyworn camera footage reveals the moment Vickrum Digwa, convicted murderer of Henry Nowak, lied to police officers about being racially attacked before his arrest. The footage, obtained by the BBC, shows Digwa falsely claiming that Nowak had racially abused him and knocked his turban off, prompting officers to arrest and handcuff the student before they realized his fatal injuries.
Digwa's False Claims to Police
In the footage, Digwa tells officers that Nowak obtained his bloody wounds either from a 'punch' or because he ‘fell over’ while climbing on bins. He can be heard lying to police about being racially attacked by Nowak, who he claims was 'obviously drunk'. Digwa was not handcuffed when he was arrested for attempted murder, though Nowak had been handcuffed by the same officers minutes before.
Background of the Case
Vickrum Digwa, 22, was convicted of murdering Henry Nowak, 21, in Southampton in 2021. The attack occurred after an argument between the two men. Digwa was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 18 years. The bodycam footage has been released following a request by the BBC under the Freedom of Information Act.
Impact of the Footage
The footage has raised questions about police handling of the incident, as officers initially believed Digwa's false allegations. According to a police spokesperson, "The actions of the officers on scene were based on the information available to them at the time. The subsequent investigation and conviction of Digwa demonstrate that the truth was ultimately uncovered."
