My thoughts today are with Henry Nowak’s family and friends, after the most awful and senseless loss of a young life here in Southampton. Nothing can make up for the tragedy they have faced, but I hope they can take some comfort from the fact that justice has now been served, and that Henry’s killer and the person who helped remove the weapon from the scene are now facing the consequences of their actions.
It is also right that Hampshire Constabulary have apologised for the fact that Henry, a murder victim, was placed in handcuffs before he lost consciousness. There is now an independent investigation underway and Henry’s family, his friends, and the wider public deserve full transparency about what happened.
This case is also a stark reminder of why knife laws exist. Carrying a blade in public is dangerous, and describing a weapon as “ceremonial” is no defence when it is used to take a young man’s life. Henry should have had his whole future ahead of him. Instead, his family have been left with an unbearable loss, and all of us in Southampton should stand with them today.