Full Breakdown
Mother of Henry Nowak’s Killer Faces Early Release and Possible Deportation
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Early-release eligibility and deportation signal
Kiran Kaur, 53, was convicted at Southampton Crown Court in July for assisting an offender after she removed the knife her son, Vickrum Digwa, used to stab 18-year-old university student Henry Nowak. She received a three-year custodial sentence. Under the Government’s early-release scheme, Kaur could serve less than half of that term and be released around the anniversary of Mr Nowak’s death. The Home Office has also indicated that, as an Indian national, she may be subject to the UK’s deportation scheme once released.
Background & Context
On December 3, 2025, Digwa stabbed Nowak on Belmont Road in Southampton and falsely claimed the victim had racially abused him. Digwa was later sentenced on June 1 to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years. Kaur’s conviction for assisting an offender stems from her act of taking the murder weapon from the scene and hiding it at the family home. The early-release scheme, expanded this year, aims to alleviate prison overcrowding; ministers say it is needed to prevent the justice system from collapsing after a summer of heightened scrutiny.
Timeline
- December 3, 2025 – Henry Nowak is fatally stabbed.
- July – Kiran Kaur sentenced to three years for assisting an offender.
- June 1 – Vickrum Digwa sentenced to life with a 21-year minimum term.
- November 5 – Court of Appeal hearing for both Kaur’s sentence appeal and Digwa’s sentence challenge.
Data & Statistics
- Kaur’s custodial term: three years; early release would mean serving under 1.5 years.
- Digwa’s minimum term: 21 years.
- The early-release programme plans to free about 5,000 prisoners in stages over the next year, down from 6,000 after ministers exempted rapists and the most serious child-sex offenders.
- In the latest week, 650 prisoners were released under the scheme, following a release of 700 two weeks earlier.
Criticism & Opposition
She argued that early release should prioritize prisoners who pose a greater threat to public safety and that Kaur’s case does not meet that criterion.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Henry Nowak, whose life was cruelly cut short in a horrific act of violence.” — The Home Office
What’s Next
Kaur’s appeal is scheduled for November 5, the same day Digwa will seek to have his minimum term increased, while the Attorney General argues the current term is “unduly lenient.” The Home Office has not yet decided whether to initiate deportation proceedings against Kaur after her release. Both cases will be heard by the Court of Appeal, which will determine whether Kaur’s sentence should be adjusted and whether Digwa’s minimum term will be altered.