An 18-year-old Southampton student, Henry Nowak, was handcuffed by police shortly after being stabbed by Vickrum Digwa, who subsequently lied to officers, claiming he was the victim of a racist assault. Digwa has been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 21 years for the murder.

Nowak's parents have stated that they hold Digwa solely responsible for their son's death. However, they also described the treatment their son received from the police as "inhumane and degrading." Hampshire police have issued an apology to Henry Nowak's family, and the case has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct for further review.

BBC Verify has analyzed bodycam footage, released with the permission of Nowak's family, to examine the critical moments leading up to the teenager's death. The footage offers insight into the police response at the scene.

The implications of the police handling of the situation, particularly concerning Nowak's treatment while injured and the initial assessment of Digwa's false claims, are now under scrutiny. The referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct suggests a formal investigation into the actions of the officers involved.

The source material does not provide specific details about the timeline of events after the stabbing or the exact nature of the interaction between Nowak and the police before his death, beyond him being handcuffed. The focus of the released footage analysis is on the "key moments" before Nowak's passing.

Digwa's deception at the scene, presenting himself as the victim of a hate crime, complicated the initial police response. This false narrative, as reported, likely influenced the officers' actions and their perception of the situation as it unfolded.

While Digwa has been convicted and sentenced, the review by the Independent Office for Police Conduct will likely examine whether standard procedures were followed and if there were any systemic issues that contributed to the perceived mistreatment of Henry Nowak.

The public release of bodycam footage, even after a conviction, is a significant step, particularly when it involves a case that has drawn criticism regarding police conduct. It aims to provide transparency and allow for public and official examination of the events.