An inquest into the murder of student Henry Nowak must examine whether police actions contributed to his death, a coroner has ruled. The 18-year-old was stabbed repeatedly by Vickrum Digwa in Southampton last December, with Hampshire Police officers handcuffing him as he lay dying.
Area coroner Jason Pegg told Winchester Coroner’s Court on Thursday that the case triggered an investigative duty under Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights. He said the inquest would allow public and family scrutiny of the broader circumstances of Mr Nowak's death.
During the incident, Digwa falsely claimed he had been racially abused by Mr Nowak. As the victim said he had been stabbed, an officer replied: “Don’t think you have, mate.” The case has prompted accusations that police equality guidance influenced the initial treatment of the two men.
Mr Pegg stated: “The issue in this case is likely to be whether any act or omission by a police officer or any delay in the treatment Henry Nowak received caused or contributed to death.” The full inquest, with a jury, is set to open on 20 September 2027, though the date may be brought forward.
Digwa was jailed for life with a minimum of 21 years for the murder. The Independent Office for Police Conduct is expected to report within three months. Demonstrations outside Southampton Police Station turned violent, with 11 officers and a police dog injured.
