**EXCLUSIVE: Henry Nowak family ‘feared cops would smear him as aggressor’ days after murder**

The grieving family of Henry Nowak have revealed how they feared Hampshire Police would turn their son into the villain just days after his brutal stabbing death in Southampton.

Reports from The Sunday Times claim the force planned to issue a statement three days after the murder that would again imply 18-year-old Henry had assaulted both Vickrum Digwa and his brother, sparking a furious backlash from the Nowaks.

An initial police description of the incident read: “It was reported two men had been assaulted by an unknown man.”

When Henry’s body was formally identified, officers told the family a planned update would once again paint their son as the initial aggressor. The Nowaks insisted police still believed Henry had made racially abusive remarks.

In fact, the “weapons-obsessed” Digwa, 23, carried an eight-inch Sikh ceremonial knife known as a Kirpan and stabbed Henry before falsely claiming the student had racially abused him. After the family’s furious complaints that their son’s name was being besmirched, officers removed the racial element from the statement and referred only to an “altercation.”

Digwa was secretly recorded speaking in Punjabi to his brother Gurpreet two days after the murder. The brothers were in the back of a police van heading to court. Digwa admitted he had stabbed Henry but made no mention of his earlier allegation of racial abuse. Instead, he agreed with Gurpreet that he would claim self-defence.

The bodycam footage released after Digwa’s conviction showed Henry begging for help on Belmont Road. He repeatedly told officers he had been stabbed, gasping “I can’t breathe” as he slumped against a wall. One officer dismissed him with “I don’t think you have, mate.” The teenager was handcuffed and left to bleed to death while Digwa watched.

Henry’s father Mark Nowak described the treatment outside court as “inhumane and degrading.” He contrasted it with the way Digwa was treated, noting police took the killer to the kitchen so he could choose his food while under arrest.

In his sentencing remarks, Judge William Mousley said: “I am sure that Henry had said nothing racist. You [Digwa] are the only person to make that claim and it is completely at odds with his previous character.”

Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones has said the Nowak family are “urging calm reflection” despite their grief. She has called the body-worn camera footage “the most shocking thing” she has ever seen, adding she does not believe Henry should have been handcuffed as he lay dying.

The Attorney General is “closely” reviewing Digwa’s life sentence with a minimum term of 21 years, with possible referral to the Court of Appeal. Justice Secretary David Lammy has backed the move, stating the killer “manipulated the situation by bringing race into the context, which was clearly a lie.”

Mark Nowak said outside court: “Our family should not have to fight for the truth any more.” He added: “Henry did not die with dignity… His murderer, however, was afforded decency.”

The Nowak family have repeatedly made clear they do not want their son’s death used to fuel division or violence. As protests erupted in Southampton, the family has stood firm for justice without hatred.

Whether the initial police narrative would have altered the trial outcome remains unknown. But the evidence — including Digwa’s own recorded confession — proved too strong for any reasonable doubt to remain.

Hampshire Police have been approached for comment.