Full Breakdown
Vickrum Digwa Seeks Appeal of Murder Conviction and Sentence
7/4/2026, 12:37:07 AM
The Appeal Request
Vickrum Digwa, 23, has lodged an application to the Court of Appeal to have his murder conviction quashed and his life sentence reduced. Digwa was sentenced in June to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years for the fatal stabbing of 18-year-old Henry Nowak in Southampton on 3 December. The Court of Appeal confirmed the filing of Digwa’s appeal, but has not set a hearing date or disclosed the grounds of his challenge.
Murder and Immediate Aftermath
On the night of 3 December, Digwa used a 21 cm ceremonial Sikh dagger to stab Nowak multiple times. After the attack Digwa told police that he had been the victim of a racist assault, alleging that Nowak had punched him and removed his turban. Body-worn camera footage released after the trial shows Nowak lying on the ground, handcuffed, repeatedly telling officers “I can’t breathe” while police delayed medical assistance. Nowak died in police custody.
Legal Context and Unduly Lenient Referral
The Solicitor General, Ellie Reeves KC, referred Digwa’s sentence to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme, describing the 21-year minimum as insufficient. Reeves also submitted an application to review the conviction, stating that “difficult questions need to be answered about the way the police handled Henry Nowak’s murder.” The Court of Appeal subsequently confirmed that Digwa is seeking to appeal both conviction and sentence.
Official Statements & Responses
- Ellie Reeves KC emphasized the need for a thorough review of the case and expressed that any outcome should serve justice for the Nowak family.
- Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said there were “serious questions” to answer regarding police conduct and later affirmed his commitment to preventing similar tragedies.
- Mark Nowak, Henry’s father, described the disparity in treatment between his son and Digwa as “unbearable” and urged that the case not fuel further division.
These statements collectively reflect governmental and familial perspectives on the ongoing legal and investigative processes.
Criticism, Public Reaction, and Police Investigation
The release of the body-camera footage sparked protests in Southampton and an online petition demanding a reinvestigation of Digwa’s brother, Gurpreet Digwa, who is alleged to have perjured himself and obstructed police. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating two Southampton officers for potential gross misconduct, including failure to provide urgent medical aid and the decision to handcuff Nowak rather than render first aid. The IOPC is also examining whether race or religion influenced the officers’ actions.
Data & Statistics
- Sentence: Life imprisonment, minimum 21 years.
- Legal aid costs: Digwa received £79,621; his mother, Kiran Kaur, who was convicted of assisting an offender, received £75,542, bringing total legal-aid expenditure to £155,163.
- Charges: Digwa was also convicted of carrying a knife in public; Kaur was convicted of assisting an offender for attempting to hide the weapon.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- The exact year of the stabbing is reported as “December 2025” in one source and “December last year” in others, indicating a discrepancy in the timeline.
- No hearing date or detailed grounds for Digwa’s appeal have been disclosed, leaving a gap in public understanding of the legal strategy.
- Authorities have not charged Gurpreet Digwa despite allegations of perjury and obstruction, a point noted by critics but not resolved in official investigations.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Passing sentence at Southampton Crown Court last month, Judge William Mousley pushed back on accusations of racism against Digwa, saying of Mr Nowak: 'I am sure that Henry said nothing racist.” — Judge William Mousley KC
- “Speaking on her application to the Court of Appeal, she said: 'It is right that difficult questions need to be answered about the way the police handled Henry Nowak's murder, while my role is to review Digwa's sentence for his crimes.” — Ellie Reeves KC
- “When Digwa was sentenced at Southampton Crown Court, Henry's father Mark Nowak said the difference between the way the killer and his son were treated was "unbearable".” — Mark Nowak
- “' Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer previously said he 'felt sick' watching footage of police handcuffing Mr Nowak as he lay dying, and that there are 'serious questions' to answer about the case.” — Sir Keir Starmer
- “After the sentencing, Henry's dad Mark Nowak said it was "unbearable" to see how his son had been treated by police in comparison with his killer, but he went on to say: "We do not want his death to be used to create further division, hatred or tension.” — Mark Nowak
These quotes capture the key voices shaping the public and legal discourse surrounding the appeal and the broader questions of police conduct.
