Life Sentence for Vickrum Digwa in Murder of Henry Nowak

On 3 December 2025, 18-year-old Henry Nowak, a finance student, was stabbed five times with a Sikh dagger by 23-year-old Vickrum Digwa in Southampton. Digwa claimed Nowak had racially abused him and removed his turban, prompting police to handcuff him before seeing his wounds. At sentencing on 1 June 2026, Digwa received a life term with a minimum of 20 years (some reports 21).

The Guardian

UK law permits practising Sikhs to carry a kirpan—a ceremonial blade—for religious or ceremonial purposes, provided it is not used offensively. Judge Mousley said the privilege carries “a huge responsibility,” and the Sikh Federation said protection applies only to fully practising Sikhs.

The Guardian

Vickrum Digwa, 23, from Southampton, was called by prosecutors “skilled with weapons.” Henry Nowak, 18, was a finance student from Essex. Mark, Olivia and Lucy Nowak testified. Judge Mousley KC presided; Nicholas Lobbenberg KC led the prosecution; Jeremy Wainwright KC defended Digwa. The Sikh Federation, Southampton Police and the IOPC are involved.

The Guardian

3 December 2025 – Nowak was stabbed; 1 June 2026 – Digwa sentenced to life with a minimum of 20 years (some reports 21). Nowak was 18, Digwa 23. He suffered five stab wounds. 650 attended the funeral. The number of videos Digwa filmed is undisclosed.

The Guardian

Judge Mousley warned Digwa had “brought shame on your family, your community and your religion” and found no evidence Nowak said anything racist. Prosecutor Lobbenberg called Digwa “a man with a weapon obsession.” Defence counsel said Digwa had no intent to use the knife as a weapon. Southampton Police apologized for handcuffing the victim before medical aid. IOPC is investigating. Keir Starmer, Labour leader, called the case “awful, shocking” and urged action on knife crime.

The Guardian

Mark Nowak called the police handling “inhumane and degrading” and urged authorities to treat knife crime as a national emergency. The case drew criticism, including Elon Musk, and raised concerns about misuse of religious justification.

The Guardian

Sources differ on the minimum term—some state at least 20 years, others 21 years. The exact number of videos Digwa filmed is unspecified, and the IOPC’s investigation timeline remains undisclosed.

The Guardian

• “Henry did not die with dignity. He did not die with the care he deserved. We hold Vickrum Digwa solely and 100% responsible for the brutal murder of our son. But Henry should not have died on the streets of Southampton in police custody. The way he was treated was inhumane and degrading.” — Mark Nowak, Father

The Guardian

• “ Sentencing Digwa, Judge Mousley KC told him: “You have brought shame on your family, your community and your religion.” — Judge Mousley KC

The Guardian

• “He is a man with a weapon obsession.” — Nicholas Lobbenberg KC, Prosecutor

The Guardian

• “This (is) an awful, shocking case.” — Keir Starmer, Labour Leader

Southern Daily Echo

• “We want to make absolutely clear the law only provides fully practising Sikhs with a defence under the law to wear a kirpan for religious reasons.” — Sikh Federation spokesperson

The Guardian

The IOPC investigation will decide if police procedures need reform, while policymakers debate stricter knife-crime measures and kirpan-related legal protections.

The Guardian