Teen Stabbing Victim Died After Police Handcuffed Him Over Racism Claim

A court heard that Henry Nowak, a university student of Anglo-Polish heritage, died after being stabbed and subsequently handcuffed by police who acted on the attacker's false allegation of racial abuse. Nowak was attacked by 23-year-old Vickrum Digwa following a verbal altercation in Southampton. Despite Nowak protesting that he was the victim, officers restrained him based on Digwa's claim that Nowak had been drunk and racist. Nowak died at the scene from four stab wounds, including one that punctured his lung. Digwa is accused of murder and carrying a knife, while his mother, Kiran Kaur, faces charges for allegedly removing the weapon and hiding it at their home. The defense argues Digwa acted in self-defense and was carrying ceremonial Sikh knives legally, though prosecutors note he possessed an unusually large blade. The incident highlights critical failures in police assessment of the scene, as the actual victim was detained while the aggressor remained free initially. Both defendants deny all charges as the trial continues.