Sharon Osbourne has weighed into the growing row surrounding the treatment of murdered teenager Henry Nowak, urging supporters to help ensure the 18-year-old “gets the justice he deserves”.
The TV personality shared the police bodycam footage of Mr Nowak’s final moments on Instagram.
Alongside the video, Ms Osbourne wrote: “The purpose of this post is not to be gratuitous; it is to make sure the truth is circulated and that Henry gets the justice he deserves.”
Her intervention comes amid intense public debate over Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary’s handling of the incident, after officers in question appeared to have treated the dying student as a suspect rather than the victim.
The distressing footage, released by police this week, shows Mr Nowak lying on the ground after being stabbed multiple times with a ceremonial knife.
Despite repeatedly telling officers “I have been stabbed” and “I can’t breathe”, one officer is heard responding: “You’ve been stabbed, mate? I don’t think you have.”
Mr Nowak was then handcuffed and arrested after his killer, Vickrum Digwa, falsely claimed he had been racially abused and assaulted by the university student.
Three minutes later, the teenager collapsed unconscious.
Sharon Osbourne shared the police body-cam footage of the incident
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GETTYHe was pronounced dead just over an hour after the confrontation.
Ms Osbourne’s post quickly caused a stir online, with many praising her for speaking out.
One supporter wrote on Instagram: “Thank you for being one of the normal ones, Sharon, with a normal reaction to this horrific video. RIP Henry.”
Another added: “Well done for speaking up, Sharon. So much love and respect for you.”
A third commenter claimed: “The fact that they took the murderer’s word and didn’t even ask him his side of what happened is so disturbing.”
Digwa, 23, was jailed for life this week and must serve a minimum term of 21 years after being convicted of murdering the University of Southampton student.
The court heard he stabbed Mr Nowak five times with a 21cm kirpan.
Sentencing Digwa, the judge rejected claims that Mr Nowak had used racist language, describing the allegation as entirely inconsistent with the teenager’s character.
The court also heard that Mr Nowak’s treatment by police was a direct consequence of Digwa’s lies.
Hampshire Police have apologised for handcuffing and arresting the teenager in the moments before he lost consciousness.
Temporary Deputy Chief Constable Robert France said he was sorry for the way events unfolded and acknowledged it took officers several minutes to begin administering first aid.
However, he added that a pathologist concluded there was nothing police could have done to save Mr Nowak’s life.
An independent investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct remains ongoing.