Newly released police bodycam footage has laid bare the extent of Vickrum Digwa's deceit in the aftermath of Henry Nowak's brutal murder. The harrowing scenes show how Digga's fabrication about a racist attack led to Mr Nowak being wrongly arrested and handcuffed, even as he lay dying from his injuries.
Digga, 23, was handed a life sentence with a minimum term of 20 years for stabbing 18-year-old Mr Nowak five times in Southampton last December. At the scene, Digwa claimed that Mr Nowak had racially abused him and knocked off his turban - assertions that prompted officers to initially detain Mr Nowak before realising the severity of his wounds.
The distressing footage captures Digwa telling officers that Mr Nowak's injuries were either caused by a "punch" or that he had simply fallen while climbing on bins. He repeatedly lied about being racially targeted by Mr Nowak, claiming the victim was "obviously drunk" and had pulled his turban off. Even his father, Moga Singh, is heard supporting Digwa's account in the footage, stating, "My son's just been assaulted. The gentleman that's on the floor assaulted my son."
During his arrest for attempted murder, Digga continued to complain about being a victim of racism - to which an officer responded dismissively, "I know, I know, I know." The prosecution had suggested that footage from before the police arrived showed Digwa with his turban still on, implying he may have removed it himself to appear as a victim. In sentencing, Judge William Mousley KC dismissed Digga's claims of racism, stating, "I am sure that Henry had said nothing racist. You are the only person to make that claim and it is completely at odds with his previous character."
This tragic sequence of events, fuelled by Digwa's fabrications, saw Mr Nowak subjected to arrest and handcuffing during his final moments. According to reports, Mr Nowak had started recording Digga after seeing him carry an eight-inch Sikh ceremonial blade - although this footage remains undisclosed.