Family of stabbed teenager speaks of police handcuffing shock

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 1 Nov, 16:16 · Archive

Henry Nowak, 18, was stabbed five times in Southampton in December 2025 while police handcuffed him as he lay dying.

Henry Nowak, 18, was stabbed five times as he walked home from a night out with friends from his football team in Southampton on 3 December 2025. His killer, Vickrum Digwa, 23, falsely told police that Henry had racially abused him. Officers handcuffed Henry as he lay injured, despite him repeatedly telling them he had been stabbed. One officer replied to Henry's plea that he could not breathe: 'I don't think you have, mate.' It took police another 24 hours to identify Henry's body and tell his family.

Henry's stepmother Katie told ITV for a documentary that she 'jumped out of bed' when she saw police outside the house and 'just knew straight away that something horrific had happened'. His father Mark, she said, 'let out a cry that I'll never forget'. Mark said: 'It was just shock. It's just unbelievable pain.' His mother Lucy was told at the same time in the early hours. The family described their 'world changed twice': first when they were told Henry had died, and again when they watched the body-worn camera video showing him being handcuffed.

Vickrum Digwa was jailed for life with a minimum term of 21 years. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has announced an independent review into the murder, led by former lord chancellor Alex Chalk, which will examine 'any missed opportunities to intervene'.

How it is being reported

• Henry Nowak’s family speak for first time in detail of murder and relive police knocking at the door at 1amMurdered Henry Nowak's mum, Lucy Ross, tells a new documentary of the police at their door: "No words can explain that feeling." His dad Mark "let out a scream that I will never forget"The Mirror · 1 Nov, 16:08
• Henry Nowak's family tell of trauma of seeing son handcuffed as he lay dyingHis family describe the night police told them of his death, and watching him being handcuffed.BBC News · 1 Nov, 16:00
• Henry Nowak’s family open up about shock of learning he had been killed'I just knew straight away that something horrific had happened.'Metro · 1 Nov, 16:00

In this story: Henry Nowak · Vickrum Digwa · Southampton · Shabana Mahmood · Alex Chalk

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log