British police are facing a national backlash over their handling of the fatal stabbing of 18-year-old student Henry Nowak, who was handcuffed while dying from stab wounds after his attacker falsely claimed to be the victim of a racist assault.
Nowak was killed in Southampton, southern England, last December. His attacker, 23-year-old Vickrum Digwa, was sentenced to life imprisonment on Monday after admitting the stabbing and lying to police at the scene.
Body-worn camera footage released following the incident shows Nowak on the ground saying, “I’ve been stabbed” and “I can’t breathe,” while an officer responds: “I don’t think you have, mate.”
Police later removed his handcuffs and began CPR after realising the severity of his injuries.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said there were “serious questions” to answer about how allegations made by the attacker may have influenced police decision-making.
“It is impossible to watch that footage and not appreciate that those questions absolutely have to be answered,” he said.
The case has drawn political reaction from across the spectrum. Opposition figures accused authorities of being overly cautious in responding to the suspect’s claims, while government ministers urged restraint as investigations continue.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said all individuals must be treated equally before the law and warned against “inflammatory commentary” surrounding the case.
The case has triggered protests and renewed debate over policing standards, race and decision-making under pressure. A demonstration was expected in Southampton on Tuesday evening, with additional rallies planned elsewhere.
Far-right political figures have also seized on the case, linking it to broader debates about policing and social tensions in the UK.
Judge William Mousley noted during sentencing that the incident had fuelled racial tensions in Britain, while the victim’s family urged the public not to use the case to “create further division, hatred or tension”.
Hampshire Police have apologised for their handling of the incident, acknowledging failings in their initial response. The Attorney General’s Office is considering whether to review the 21-year minimum term imposed on Digwa, with a decision expected within 28 days.
Authorities say the case raises wider questions about how officers assess risk and credibility in fast-moving, high-pressure situations.
A shooting in Montreal, Canada has left three people dead, including a police officer, a civilian and the suspected attacker, police said. ...
The United States eased sanctions on Iran for 60 days as President Donald Trump warned he would do "what I have to do" if Tehran failed to honour the ...
A chaotic day of World Cup action saw Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland shine in high-scoring wins for France and Norway. Lionel Messi continued his ...
All 18 U.S.-resident passengers from the MV Hondius cruise ship linked to a hantavirus outbreak have returned to their home states after completing mo...
Six people were wounded in Russian air strikes across Ukraine overnight, local authorities said, as air raid alerts were issued in Kyiv in the early h...
A shooting in Montreal, Canada has left three people dead, including a police officer, a civilian and the suspected attacker, police said.
The United States eased sanctions on Iran for 60 days as President Donald Trump warned he would do "what I have to do" if Tehran failed to honour the deal.
A chaotic day of World Cup action saw Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland shine in high-scoring wins for France and Norway. Lionel Messi continued his record-breaking run as Argentina secured another commanding victory.
All 18 U.S.-resident passengers from the MV Hondius cruise ship linked to a hantavirus outbreak have returned to their home states after completing monitoring at the National Quarantine Unit, the University of Nebraska Medical Center said on Monday.
At least thirteen people have died and sixty-six have been injured following an explosion at Qatar's main liquefied natural gas (LNG) processing hub at Ras Laffan, authorities said on Sunday.
Cape Verde’s remarkable FIFA World Cup debut continued on Sunday (21 June) as the tournament newcomers held Uruguay to a 2-2 draw. Goalkeeper Vozinha was once again at the centre of the story, this time with his mother watching from the stands.
Tehran has agreed to let the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recommence inspections of its nuclear programme, U.S. Vice President JD Vance has said. The U.S. and Iran have settled on a 60-day roadmap aimed at reaching a final deal, according to mediators Qatar and Pakistan.
Armenia and Azerbaijan have agreed on a landmark internet deal that will allow traffic to pass through Azerbaijani networks.It's the latest deal to highlight the ongoing peace process between the two countries.
Three students have been killed and at least seven injured after two of their peers opened fire in a high school in the Philippines, police said. A spokesperson for the police said the two suspects, aged 14 and 15, had been arrested and a police pistol confiscated. Bullying is a possible motive.
A shooting in Montreal, Canada has left three people dead, including a police officer, a civilian and the suspected attacker, police said.
All 18 U.S.-resident passengers from the MV Hondius cruise ship linked to a hantavirus outbreak have returned to their home states after completing monitoring at the National Quarantine Unit, the University of Nebraska Medical Center said on Monday.
Six people were wounded in Russian air strikes across Ukraine overnight, local authorities said, as air raid alerts were issued in Kyiv in the early hours of Tuesday (23 June), urging residents to take shelter.
Romania’s prime minister-designate Adrian Vestea failed to secure parliament’s confidence late on Monday after the far-right opposition withheld support, prolonging a political crisis that could affect the country’s access to European Union funds and weigh on its credit standing.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the China Institute of Sport Science (CISS) have launched a campaign to reach 100 million people in China by 2028, encouraging more active lifestyles and greater participation in physical activity through community programmes and digital tools.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment