Police officers took approximately eight minutes to locate the fatal stab wound that led to the death of Henry Nowak after detaining the dying teenager, according to newly revealed evidence.

Disturbing footage from police body cameras captured Henry, aged 18, expressing difficulty breathing as he was being handcuffed. Despite Henry’s statement that he had been stabbed, an officer initially dismissed his claim.

Vickrum Digwa, aged 23, was recently sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years for stabbing Henry six times in Southampton on December 3, 2025. Digwa falsely reported to the police that he was a victim of a racially motivated attack.

A detailed transcript of the full police body camera footage obtained by the BBC highlights the officer’s panic upon realizing the severity of Henry’s injuries.

Upon Henry becoming unresponsive and still within three minutes of police arrival, officers urgently requested medical assistance and specialized first-aid resources. During attempts to provide aid, Henry’s head accidentally struck a wall, prompting the initiation of CPR by the officers.

As the situation escalated, medics provided guidance over the phone, instructing officers on resuscitation efforts. The discovery of a life-threatening stab wound on Henry’s chest was made by the male officer, leading to intensified resuscitation attempts.

Despite efforts to save Henry, he succumbed to his injuries at 00:37 on December 4, 2025, following 51 minutes of medical intervention.

In a statement, Judge William Mousley KC commended the officer’s efforts in a challenging situation, acknowledging the shock upon discovering Henry’s grave condition.

Police clarified that the pathologist’s testimony in court confirmed the fatal nature of Henry’s wound, emphasizing the extensive internal bleeding that made his survival improbable.

Henry’s father, Mark Nowak, expressed the unbearable pain of witnessing his son’s treatment by authorities compared to his attacker, urging against using his death to incite division or animosity.

Hampshire Police issued an apology to Henry’s family for the handling of the incident, with Chief Constable Alexis Boon describing the events captured in the footage as a tragic occurrence that deeply affected all involved.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct has initiated an investigation into the actions of the officers present during the incident.