Officers from Hampshire Constabulary restrained Henry Nowak regardless of his pleas for assist – after killer Vickrum Digwa accused him of racism.
Henry Nowak was stabbed to demise (Picture: Household handout – Hants Police)
The way in which police handled a pupil who was handcuffed moments earlier than he died from horrific stab wounds is a “nationwide shame”, Shabana Mahmood has been informed. Officers from Hampshire Constabulary restrained Henry Nowak, regardless of his pleas for assist, after killer Vickrum Digwa accused him of racism.
Digwa, who was convicted of homicide on Thursday, stabbed Mr Nowak 5 occasions with a Sikh ceremonial sword, in Southampton on December 3. However police chiefs confronted widespread fury after it emerged officers handcuffed Mr Nowak over the supposed racist slur – regardless of {the teenager} dropping consciousness from his knife wounds.
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Reform’s Robert Jenrick declared: “We have to see the body-worn footage and these officers have to face penalties. The remedy of this murdered pupil, in his dying moments, is a nationwide scandal.”
He added in a letter to Dwelling Secretary Shabana Mahmood: “In keeping with testimonies in courtroom, Henry warned that he had been stabbed when police arrived on the scene.
“As he bled out, the prosecution allege the police arrested Henry based mostly on claims he had been racially abusive.
“When Henry collapsed, the police gave him first support, however it was too late. He died quickly after from his wounds.
“There are such a lot of questions round this tragic demise that require solutions. Why did the police routinely arrest Henry based mostly on one allegation he had made a racial slur – one thing the prosecution describe as a ‘depraved lie’?
“Why was Henry’s handcuffing and arrest thought-about a precedence for the police when he was in a crucial situation? Why, extra broadly, do racial sensitivities constantly seem to form how the police implement the legislation lately?”
Shadow Dwelling Secretary Chris Philp added: “I’m glad Vickrum Digwa has been convicted for the brutal knife homicide of Henry Nowak, an harmless younger man who did nothing to deserve being repeatedly stabbed by Digwa.
“It’s shameful that the police handcuffed Henry as he lay dying, particularly as he informed them he had been stabbed.
“The police appeared extra taken with cuffing somebody accused of constructing a racist remark than in saving a dying man.
Vickrum Digwa was convicted of homicide (Picture: Hampshire Constabulary)
“They believed his attackers’ allegations of racism with out crucial evaluation. Henry’s final phrases have been ‘I can’t breathe’.
“If he had been an ethnic minority there would in all probability be protests and riots by now.
“The Unbiased Workplace for Police Conduct investigation that has now been confirmed should resolve this.
“The pressure should apologise to Henry’s household and policing extra extensively ought to finish its fixation on race and alleged racism in the best way it approaches policing.”
Mr Nowak tried to flee by climbing over a fence, leaving a path of blood behind him.
The prosecution stated he was stabbed 5 occasions, together with twice behind his legs, as soon as within the face and a deadly wound to the chest.
Digwa, 23, informed Southampton Crown Court docket a “depraved lie” that he had acted in self defence, claiming {the teenager} had used a racist insult, punched him and knocked his turban off.
He gave the knife to his mom and it was later discovered by police at their household house together with greater than 20 different Sikh weapons.
The courtroom heard how Digwa lied to police, telling them he had been attacked however not letting officers know that Nowak had been damage.
Police initially handcuffed the sufferer earlier than discovering his deadly harm a short while later.
Short-term deputy chief constable France informed the BBC: “This was a particularly advanced investigation and truly the scene itself was extraordinarily advanced when officers arrived.
“They have been lied to within the 999 name by Henry’s killer, they have been lied to as they arrived on the scene and we all know that because of this they did not perceive what had occurred for a number of minutes and that’s an absolute tragedy.”
Tech billionaire Elon Musk posted on X a proposal to fund a non-public prosecution towards the police and the Unbiased Workplace for Police Conduct is investigating the circumstances of the incident.
Nicholas Lobbenberg KC, prosecuting, informed the jury that Digwa, who had been coaching with weapons because the age of 12, had described the homicide weapon in “loving phrases” and that he “sleeps in a bed room with an arsenal of weapons”.
He additionally stated that though Sikhs are permitted in legislation to hold a kirpan knife, the discrete carrying of a small dagger underneath clothes was adequate for the necessities of the faith.
He stated the defendant “selected” to hold two knives, one underneath his clothes whereas the massive knife which was used within the killing was on show.
He added: “It is a man who likes weapons. He thinks a knife is an appropriate wedding ceremony current for his brother.”
Choose William Mousley KC adjourned the case for Digwa to be sentenced on June 1 and Kaur on July 17.
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