Newly released bodyworn camera footage shows Vickrum Digwa, 23, lying to police officers about being racially attacked by Henry Nowak, the student he fatally stabbed. Digwa was jailed for life with a minimum of 20 years for the murder of the 18-year-old in Southampton last December.
In the footage, Digwa falsely claims Nowak racially abused him and knocked his turban off, leading officers to arrest and handcuff the dying student. Digwa also suggests Nowak's fatal wounds came from a punch or a fall onto a car, despite having stabbed him five times.
The footage reveals Digwa complaining of a racial attack, with his father Moga Singh telling police his son was assaulted. Digwa claims Nowak called him a 'Paki' and grabbed his hair, but the judge later stated that Nowak had said nothing racist and that Digwa's claim was at odds with his character.
Prosecutors suggested Digwa removed his own turban to appear as the victim. Nowak had begun recording Digwa after seeing him carrying an eight-inch ceremonial blade, but that footage has not been released.
Nowak's wrongful arrest and handcuffing, during which he said 'I can't breathe', sparked riots in Southampton, leading to 25 rioters being charged with violent disorder. Hampshire Constabulary is under investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
