Newly released body-worn camera footage and other images shown at Vickrum Digwa’s murder trial undermine his account of what happened to Henry Nowak.
Prosecutors say Digwa repeatedly told officers — in his initial statements and in the days after his arrest — that Henry had knocked his turban off and that, “with his hair in his eyes, he stabbed out twice, but acted in self-defence.” But photos taken after the stabbing and before police arrived show Digwa’s hair “tied up on his head neatly,” while bodycam footage recorded on officers’ arrival shows it “undone and hanging loose.” The prosecution says that discrepancy shows his story was false and that his “dishonest claim of self defence” began immediately.
The CPS and Hampshire police released the footage to the BBC. The clip is marked as starting at 23:47 GMT, as medics arrive and take over CPR from officers who had been trying to save Henry. As resuscitation continued, Digwa can be heard complaining about the flashing emergency lights and asking a male officer to “turn the flashes off.” When told that could not be done, he asks whether the vehicles could be moved so they are not so much in his eyesight.
Officers check Digwa’s personal details over radio; that audio was muted in the nine-minute release. After police and a female colleague discuss a bystander video of the incident, Digwa is arrested.
When the male officer addresses him again he says: “This is really important, OK. The time now is 11.55.” Digwa replies, “I’m tired.” The officer then tells him, “At this time, I’m arresting you on suspicion of attempted murder OK?” He cautions him that he does not have to say anything but that anything he does say may be given in evidence and that a prompt investigation is necessary to prevent further harm.
Digwa asks, “What do you mean attempted murder? Why am I getting arrested?” The officer reiterates the caution and explains they need to find out what happened. The released footage ends while medics are still attempting resuscitation; Henry is later declared dead at 00:37 GMT on 4 December 2025.
The video stops before Digwa is placed in a police van. Hampshire police confirmed to the BBC that he was “never handcuffed,” a point the Nowak family had already highlighted after sentencing. In a statement, Mark Nowak said: “He was never handcuffed at all and as Vickrum Digwa himself told the court, whilst under arrest for Henry’s murder, police even took him to the kitchen so he could choose his food. The contrast is unbearable.”
Prosecutors argue the bodycam and photographic evidence discredit Digwa’s version of events and show his account of self-defence took hold from the start. The footage and images are now part of the material the jury has been shown as the trial continues.