Police footage shows Nowak killer lying about racist attack

A man convicted of murdering a teenager was captured on newly released police footage repeatedly lying to officers that his victim had drunkenly launched a racist attack against him, while the fatally wounded young man was handcuffed nearby. Vickrum Digwa, 23, was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 21 years on June 1 for the murder of 18-year-old Henry Nowak in Southampton last December.

The footage, released by the Crown Prosecution Service and Hampshire Constabulary, shows Digwa providing a detailed false account to police in the early hours of December 4, 2025. He claimed Nowak had barged into him, was "obviously drunk," and had used a racial slur before assaulting him, pulling his turban and hair. Digwa told officers, "I've been racially attacked," a claim an officer appeared to acknowledge by responding, "I know, mate." The court later heard these were "wicked lies," and that Nowak's blood alcohol level was below the legal driving limit.

While Digwa gave this account, Nowak lay handcuffed on the ground just yards away. In previously released footage, Nowak can be heard telling officers, "I've been stabbed," to which an officer replied, "Don't think you have,...