Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary is under investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct after 18-year-old finance student Henry Nowak was arrested for alleged racist remarks while dying from four stab wounds. Vickrum Digwa, 23, has been found guilty of murder at Southampton Crown Court today…
Digwa stabbed Nowak with a Sikh ceremonial knife before calling police officers to claim that Nowak had shouted racist abuse and knocked off his turban. Officers arrested the student, who could not speak properly as his lungs filled with blood – he died around an hour later…
The Hampshire and Isle of Wight deputy chief constable said: “I’m sorry that Henry’s life couldn’t be saved that night, and I’m sorry that he was handcuffed and arrested. He was the victim.”
The police watchdog 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 Nowak prior to his death on Dec 4, 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.”
Chilling…
Batting away critical points from Nick Robinson on the Today Programme, Tony Blair said:
“I always used to say the greatest source of election-losing advice was the Guardian.”