“I can’t breathe”: The final gasping moments of Henry Nowak before he passed away at the age of 18
BRICKS, bottles and bins were hurled in vicious clashes with riot police after a protest over Henry Nowak’s murder – as cops arrest two people.
The tragic student, 18, died following a night out in Southampton – after cops arrested the teen despite his five stab wounds and pleas for help.
People throw objects as they confront riot police as protesters gather near where Henry Nowak diedCredit: Getty
A man holds his bloodied hands up following an injury to his face as protesters confront riot policeCredit: Getty
Burning bins were sent barrelling towards copsCredit: AFP
Demonstrators push against a police line near Portswood Police StationCredit: AFP
Last night, thugs pelted armed cops with missiles – including rocks, bottles, and bricks – as some protesters turned violent.
They even rolled several rubbish skips on wheels at riot cops as they tried to break them – with one of the bins having a fire started inside it.
Policing minister Sarah Jones told Times Radio: “Some of what we saw yesterday was unacceptable.
“There have been two arrests… one for assault of a police officer, one for possession of a weapon.
Henry Nowak cops were more concerned about racism claims than keeping us safe
Some of the crowd have been throwing bricks at the officersCredit: AFP
Shocking footage showed the clash unfoldCredit: UKNIP
Henry Nowak who was killed by a Sikh man with a ceremonial knifeCredit: Solent
Bodycam video shows Nowak being handcuffed by police before his deathCredit: AFP
“We can’t allow – and the family have said we do not want to create further division, hatred, or tension, and I think we need to respect that.”
Earlier on Tuesday afternoon, hundreds of demonstrators had gathered peacefully outside a Southampton police station.
But as the protests continued into the night, a breakaway group began chucking glass bottles, bins, stones, cans, and various other objects at riot police in the St Denys area where Henry was killed.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has said the scenes in Portswood were “completely unacceptable”.
Wheelie bins were rolled towards cops, reports sayCredit: Getty
A demonstrator reacts while covered in blood near Portswood Police StationCredit: AFP
Vickrum Digwa was jailed at Southampton Crown Court for life with a minimum term of 21 yearsCredit: PA
Some of the crowd have begun throwing objects as they march down Belmont RoadCredit: AFP
She said: “The Nowak family made a powerful call to us all yesterday to not let Henry’s death be used to create further division, hatred or tension.”
The Home Secretary added: “There can be no justification for hijacking this tragedy to stir up violence and disorder.”
Mahmood also said that those found responsible should “expect to face the full force of the law“.
Protester Andy Riddett, 38, who was pictured covered in blood after allegedly being hit by a police shield said: “I’m here to support Henry and for myself as well.
Some hold photos of Henry alongside signs calling for the police officers to resignCredit: Getty
A demonstrator holds a placard outside Southampton Central Police StationCredit: Reuters
British far-right activist Tommy Robinson, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, stands with demonstratorsCredit: AFP
People protest outside Southampton police stationCredit: Reuters
“I had a knife held to my chest by a stranger two years ago and reported it but the police did nothing about it.”
He added: “I was just trying to get through and the police shoved their shields into me twice. Now I’m covered in my own blood.”
The violent clashes came after bodycam footage showed Sikh man Vickrum Digwa, Henry’s killer, lying to police and accusing the university student of racially abusing him.
The clip showed police then handcuffing Henry as he lay bleeding to death following the random attack in Southampton in December.
Thugs seen clashing with copsCredit: Solent
Cop who arrested Henry Nowak quits
A COP who arrested Henry Nowak as he lay fatally injured has resigned – after shocking bodycam footage showed police ignoring the victim as his Sikh killer told lies.
The tragic 18-year-old was stabbed and left bleeding out while returning home from a night out – before cops ignored his pleas for help and instead handcuffed him.
University student Henry was knifed five times with a 21cm ceremonial sword by Vickrum Digwa in Southampton in December 2025.
When police arrived at the scene, Digwa accused his victim of making racist remarks – causing officers to arrest Henry as he lay dying.
Bodycam footage shows Henry telling cops several times that he had been stabbed – only for one to say “I don’t think you have, mate”.
The teenager was even heard in the clip saying “I can’t breathe” as well as “I’ve been stabbed”.
He tragically died just one hour after the video was taken.
There were four officers present at the scene at the time of Henry’s arrest – one of whom has now resigned.
A spokesperson for the force said: “Three of the officers are still serving, one officer has resigned.
“As the IOPC has confirmed, they are all being treated as witnesses, so not subject to any current restrictions.”
On Monday, Digwa was jailed for life for the murder of Henry in Southampton.
The 23-year-old Sikh had used his “racism trump card” and lied to police, who arrested Henry as he lay dying.
When protests started peacefully earlier in the day, demonstrators waved Union Jacks and chanted “I can’t breathe” – Henry’s last words before he died.
Meanwhile officers from Hampshire Police lined the stairs of the station while protesters shouted “shame on you”.
Others protesters chanted “Henry, Henry” at the riot police blocking the street during the march.
One protester wore a t-shirt that said “RIP Henry Nowak”. A minute’s silence was also held.
Protestors have gathered after the case received widespread attention onlineCredit: Getty
Demonstrators arrive to protest about the police’s handling at the scene of the murderCredit: AFP
Demonstrators attack a police van at the protest march in SouthamptonCredit: AFP
Demonstrators throw bins at police officers near Portswood Police StationCredit: AFP
Other placards said “save our kids” and “safety is a right not a privilege” while some held up photos of Henry.
One woman held a sign saying “Not racist just a worried mum”.
The crowd – including Tommy Robinson – reportedly marched to Portswood police station, just a few hundred yards from the murder scene.
A splinter group of around 100 protesters reportedly moved on later to outside BBC Radio Solent offices.
Demonstrators chase police officers with wheelie bins near Portswood Police StationCredit: AFP
Demonstrators shout at police officers standing in riot gearCredit: AFP
Meanwhile, a large group marched down Belmont Road into a wall of riot police.
Some protesters were heard shouting “Rupert Lowe, Rupert Lowe” as they made their way.
In December 2025, tragic Henry was returning home from a night out – when he was knifed five times with a 21cm ceremonial sword by Digwa.
When police arrived at the scene, Digwa accused his victim of making racist remarks – causing officers to arrest Henry as he lay dying.
A flare blows smoke as riot police stand near protestersCredit: Getty
Crowds are shouting ‘I can’t breathe’ at officers standing outside the police stationCredit: Getty
The case has sparked backlash online as the PM said the footage made him feel ‘sick’Credit: Getty
A man confronts riot police as protesters gather near the location where Henry Nowak diedCredit: Getty
Bodycam footage shows Henry telling cops several times that he had been stabbed – only for one to say “I don’t think you have, mate”.
The teenager was even heard in the clip saying “I can’t breathe” as well as “I’ve been stabbed”.
He tragically died just one hour after the video was taken.
One protester said he had seen the shocking police bodycam footage online and wanted the force to be held accountable.
The protest is moving to just a stone’s throw away from where Henry was killedCredit: PA
Court details revealed that Digwa falsely claimed to arriving officers that he was the victim of a racist attackCredit: Getty
He continued: “It angers me seeing them stood there in uniforms it angers me. We don’t want trouble but emotions are high.”
Ahead of the demonstration, Hampshire police said: “We know there has been significant commentary following the sentencing of Vickrum Digwa yesterday afternoon, and we recognise the desire for answers about the police response that night.
“However, what we cannot accept is the significant spread of misinformation online by those intent on causing further fear and division by making threats to officers and sharing names that are simply not true.
“A police officer unrelated to this case has been misidentified online and subject to death threats.”
They added: “The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is continuing its independent investigation into our response on the night in question, following our self-referral the next day.
“While that progresses, we ask that people avoid harmful speculation online.”
Henry’s father, Mark Nowak, said after Monday’s sentencing: “We believe the officers involved remain on duty although we understand some may since have resigned.
“One was allowed to leave the force before she had given an account to the Independent Office of Police Conduct of what happened that evening.”
The attorney general’s office is now considering Digwa’s sentence after it was flooded with requests to review his jail time.
Sir Keir Starmer has called for the police watchdog investigation into the arrest to be “carried out as quickly as possible and answers delivered”.
The PM said it is right for IOPC to look into the officer’s actions after he watched the footage which left him feeling “sick”.
Newcastle release five senior players and boss Howe snubs chance to sign Ramsdale
Speaking in the Commons, Mahmood said Henry’s family deserve answers.
She added: “It is a vile act, a crime of the utmost severity and it will be met with the severest punishment.”
SOURCE: THE SUN
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/39290419/protest-henry-nowak-arrest-footage-released/
