The Crown Prosecution Service warned Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary that issuing a public statement during the trial of Vickrum Digwa could jeopardize the murder case of 18-year-old Henry Nowak, according to a Sunday Times report published on June 7, 2026.
The police force intended to publish a statement to counter what it termed online "disinformation" while court proceedings against Digwa were at a critical juncture.
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The proposed statement contained court process details, a reminder against publishing material that could prejudice proceedings, and a commitment to answer questions post-trial.
CPS Warning and Police Decision
A CPS spokesperson said the CPS highlighted to the police that protecting the integrity of the ongoing trial was essential, and of the risks of referring to any aspect of the evidence before it had been heard by the court and the case had been summed up by the judge to the jury.
However, it was made clear that whether a statement was released was ultimately a police operational decision.
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Digwa, 23, fatally stabbed Nowak, a first-year University of Southampton student, last December after a night out.
When officers arrived, Digwa falsely claimed Nowak racially abused him, leading police to handcuff the dying student despite his pleas that he could not breathe.
Digwa received a life sentence with a minimum of 21 years for the murder, which was committed with a 21cm ceremonial Sikh knife.
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The handling of the case drew global criticism, triggered violent disorder in Southampton, and prompted allegations of anti-white bias despite data discrediting claims that UK police actions disadvantage white people.
