Police watchdog probes handcuffing of murder victim

The police watchdog is investigating after a young murder victim was arrested and handcuffed as he lay dying.

First-year university student Henry Nowak, 18, had been stabbed multiple times with a 21cm (8in) ceremonial knife when officers in Southampton arrived at the scene in December.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary apologised after 23-year-old killer Vickrum Digwa was found guilty of murder on Thursday. The trial heard that Digwa lied to police, falsely claiming he was the victim and alleging he had been subjected to racist abuse.

In a statement issued to the BBC, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) confirmed an investigation into the police force's actions was ongoing.

Henry, from Chafford Hundred in Essex, was walking back to his student accommodation alone after a night out with his football teammates when he encountered Digwa.

Digwa, who had used a blade he said he carried because of his Sikh faith, tried to claim he acted in self-defence and that Henry was drunk, shouted racist abuse, hit him and knocked off his turban.

But it was found Henry had alcohol levels below the drink-drive limit when he died.

The prosecution said Digwa had invented a "wicked lie" to try to save himself from jail – and the jury agreed.

Henry was, in fact, the victim and he had left a trail of blood behind him as he attempted to flee his knife-wielding attacker by escaping over a fence.

But when police arrived, it was Henry – a University of Southampton finance student – who was handcuffed and arrested after Digwa made his bogus accusations.

Temporary Deputy Chief Constable Robert France told the BBC: "It is a tragedy that officers did not immediately understand what had happened to Henry.

"I am sorry that he had been handcuffed and arrested as he lost consciousness.

"I don't want to hide the facts. I want people to understand the full facts."

France said he expected the IOPC to investigate "the whole range of what happened" and his force was committed to acting on the watchdog's findings.

He added: "The officers who initially interacted with Henry are the same officers who started the CPR, who fought to save his life and I have no doubt of the extensive impact on the officers."

The IOPC said: "Our thoughts and sympathies are with Henry Nowak's family and everyone affected by his death.

"We are independently investigating the contact Hampshire and Isle of Wight officers had with Mr Nowak prior to his death on 4 December, including the use of handcuffs by officers and the first aid provided.

"Our investigation, which began following a mandatory referral from the force, remains ongoing and the officers involved are currently being treated as witnesses."

Crime and Policing Minister Sarah Jones said: "This is a truly horrific case.

"All our thoughts are with Henry's family and friends and what they are going through.

"We know that no verdict can undo the pain, but I hope today brings some small measure of justice.

"It is right that an IOPC investigation has been launched into the actions of the police to get to the truth."

Digwa will be sentenced at Southampton Crown Court on Monday.