A former copper has said he is “disgusted” by the police’s treatment of Henry Nowak. The 18-year-old was murdered last year in Southampton by Vickrum Digwa, 23, who lied to officers, claiming that Nowak had subjected him to a racist attack. The killer had in fact stabbed his victim multiple times. Police bodycam footage showed Henry telling Hampshire Police officers, who handcuffed him, that he could not breathe, and had been stabbed. An officer can be heard telling him: “I don’t think you have, mate.”

The teenager had stab wounds to his legs, as well as a fatal wound to his heart from a 21cm blade. Now, Robert Hindley, 52, who served as an officer in Manchester for 17 years before retiring after being dragged along by a car after responding to a road traffic collision, has vented his fury at the video of Henry’s arrest.

He said: “I’m absolutely disgusted by the actions and conduct of the officers who dealt with Henry Nowak. I genuinely don’t [know] any officer who wouldn’t provide life-saving first aid [as] a priority, no matter who the injured party was, or what they had done.”

The ex-cop called the officers’ conduct “indefensible”, adding: “He was a young man begging for his life and he was treated with a disdain that bordered on cruelty.

“The young man told officers that he had been stabbed on four occasions, and he stated that he couldn’t breathe nine times is gut wrenching to listen to.

“I can’t understand why none of the four officers present didn’t immediately start life-saving first aid and call an ambulance.”

Digwa told police Mr Nowak had racially abused him but the claim was branded as “wicked lies” by Justice Mousley.

My Hindley said: “Regardless as to whether he was suspected of committing a crime or not, the preservation of life must always be the number one priority.”

Mr Hindley said that he understands the “fear that all officers have of being branded a racist”, as ”suspicion alone can be career ending, even [if] the officer is investigated and cleared”.

“That said, an officer must have the moral courage to do the right thing, if they don’t then they shouldn’t be in the job,” he added.

Mr Hindley also pointed towards a Manchester Arena security guard having a “bad feeling” about suicide bomber Salman Abedi, but not approaching him for fear of being branded a racist.

He said: “Officers are reluctant to use stop and search powers in Black and Asian communities as a result knife and gun crime is out of control.

“Children and young me are being slaughtered in our inner cities. Stop and search works, every weapon seized potentially saves a life.

“Indeed, if the young people were concerned about being caught with a weapon means that they are less likely to carry one in the first place. I don’t why community leaders don’t cry out for the police to act.

“I have been on my knees elbow deep in the blood of a dying young man far too many times knowing that the death may have been preventable if reason had prevailed.”

Mr Hindley added that modern policing seems to have been “overtaken by progressive activism and by a fear of reputational consequences”.

He said: “Policing has to be grounded in courage, clarity and an equal duty to protect every victim, regardless of race or background.”

But the former officer also emphasised that it is also “essential that we do not point the finger at the Sikh community as a whole”, and this case “should not be used to stigmatise an entire community”.

“Responsibility lies with individuals and with the decisions made on the day, not with an entire faith or community,” Mr Hindley said.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating officers’ handling of the incident. One of the officers involved has resigned. Protesters clashed with police in Southampton on Tuesday, resulting in two arrests and 11 officers being hurt.

Hampshire Police said yesterday: “We know there has been significant commentary following the sentencing of Vickrum Digwa yesterday afternoon, and we recognise the desire for answers about the police response that night.

“However, what we cannot accept is the significant spread of misinformation online by those intent of causing further fear and division by making threats to officers and sharing names that are simply not true.

“A police officer unrelated to this case has been misidentified online and subject to death threats.

“The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is continuing its independent investigation into our response on the night in question, following our self-referral the next day.

“While that progresses, we ask that people avoid harmful speculation online.”