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Man convicted of murdering Henry Novak in Southampton after police failed to assess injuries at the scene
A man has been convicted of murdering Henry Novak in Southampton after stabbing him five times with a blade. The case has prompted political questions about police procedures after officers failed to notice the severity of the victim's injuries.
A man identified as Degra has been convicted of murdering Henry Novak at Southampton Crown Court. The prosecution established that Degra stabbed Novak five times with a 21-centimetre blade, including three times in the front of his body and twice in the back of his legs as the victim tried to flee the scene. The victim's last words were reported as 'I've been stabbed, I can't breathe, I'm dying.'
Evidence presented in court showed that Degra lied repeatedly both on the night of the incident and during the trial, claiming he acted in self-defence. A pathologist testified that contrary to Degra's claims that Novak was drunk, the victim was under the legal alcohol limit. The court also heard that Degra filmed Novak as he attempted to climb over a fence to escape, and took the victim's phone, preventing him from calling for help.
Serious questions have been raised about the police response to the incident. Officers were called to the scene instead of an ambulance, and it took three minutes before first aid was administered. The prosecution noted that police failed to notice the extent of Novak's injuries at the scene despite the visible wounds. The Independent Office for Police Conduct has provided a statement regarding the case.
The case has drawn political attention, with shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp questioning why police accepted initial allegations without critical assessment. Philp drew parallels with the George Floyd case in the United States, noting that Novak's last words echoed Floyd's. He suggested that had the victim been from an ethnic minority, the case would likely have prompted widespread protests.
The Prime Minister's office has been asked for a response to the case. The conviction has reignited debate about policing standards and the handling of violent crime in England, with calls for a thorough review of the procedures followed by officers who attended the scene, as reported by GB News.