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Vickrum Digwa, 23, has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years after being found guilty of murdering 18-year-old student Henry Nowak. The fatal stabbing took place in Southampton on 3 December, when Nowak was walking home alone following a night out with friends. Digwa used a 21cm blade, which he claimed he carried as part of his Sikh faith, to attack Nowak.
During the trial, Digwa falsely alleged that he had been racially abused by Nowak and acted in self-defense. However, Judge William Mousley KC rejected these claims and condemned Digwa for bringing “shame” upon both his family and religion. The judge emphasized how the stabbing had incited racial tensions in Southampton and beyond, causing fear among many Sikhs about their safety. He described Nowak as a “much-loved” young man whose murder left his family with a “lifetime of loss.”
The court heard details of the attack, which was not witnessed directly, but neighbors reported hearing Nowak say he had been stabbed and was dying. Despite his injuries, Nowak attempted to flee by climbing over a fence, leaving a trail of blood behind. He suffered multiple stab wounds, including fatal injuries to his chest. After the assault, Digwa handed the knife to his mother, Kiran Kaur, who was later convicted of assisting an offender for trying to conceal the weapon, alongside over 20 other weapons found at their home.
Following the incident, police initially handcuffed Nowak even as he lay dying, before discovering the severity of his injuries. The victim’s father, Mark Nowak, expressed deep anguish over his son’s treatment in custody, describing it as “inhumane and degrading.” He contrasted this with Digwa’s treatment, stating the killer was “afforded decency” and had reportedly never been handcuffed. Mark Nowak called for a “full, fearless and transparent” inquiry into the police’s handling of the case, which has since been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). Hampshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner described the incident as a “national tragedy” and raised serious concerns about police fairness and judgment
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