Inquest to examine if police response contributed to Henry Nowak death

Nowak jury inquest to probe actions of police

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Henry Nowak was stabbed to death by Vickrum Digwa in December 2025

PA Media Head shot of Henry Nowak standing in front of orange and white balloons with the number 18 on. — Henry Nowak was stabbed to death by Vickrum Digwa in December 2025

A jury inquest will be held to investigate whether police officers caused or contributed to the death of Henry Nowak.

The 18-year-old student, from Chafford Hundred in Essex, was arrested and handcuffed after his attacker, 23-year-old Vickrum Digwa, failed to tell officers he had stabbed him with a 21cm (8in) blade in Southampton.

Resuming a hearing, Hampshire coroner Jason Pegg said the full circumstances surrounding the death on 3 December had not been fully scrutinised.

He said a full inquest with a jury would be held on 20 September 2027 although he hoped the date might be brought forward.

Nowak repeatedly told officers he had been stabbed and could not breathe as he lay dying, Southampton Crown Court previously heard.

When he lost consciousness, an officer began CPR, not realising that the teenager had a serious chest wound, the trial was told.

Vickrum Digwa was found guilty of murder

Police handout Custody photo of Vickrum Digwa, a man with a beard, a grey jumper and a purple turban looking to the camera. — Vickrum Digwa was found guilty of murder

The coroner said: “An issue in this case is likely to be whether any act or omission by police officers… caused or contributed to the death.”

Digwa, who told police Nowak had attacked him, was given a life sentence with a minimum term of 21 years on Monday.

During the sentencing hearing, Judge William Mousley KC said the pathologist had said that “no emergency medical treatment would have permitted access to the bleeding vein”.

“In simple terms, he would not have survived, however quickly he received first aid, CPR or expert medical treatment,” the judge added.

Coroner Pegg said the state had a “duty to carry out a public investigation… in which Henry’s family can fully participate”, which they had not been able to do during the trial.

The family did not attend the eight-minute hearing in Winchester.

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