Vickrum Digwa, 23, has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years for the murder of 18-year-old university student Henry Nowak. The attack occurred on Belmont Road in Southampton on December 3, 2025, when Digwa stabbed Nowak twice in the back of the legs before delivering a fatal blow to his heart.
Lies at the Scene
The court heard that Digwa lied to police officers at the scene, claiming he had not stabbed Nowak. He further fabricated a story that the teenager had racially attacked him by punching him and knocking off his turban while drunk. In reality, Digwa was filmed by his victim saying, 'I am a bad man,' moments before the murder.
Legal Proceedings
Digwa was found guilty of murder on May 28 and also charged with carrying a bladed weapon in public. His mother, Kiran Kaur, 53, was found guilty of assisting an offender by removing the weapon from the scene. During the trial, Digwa initially claimed self-defense, stating he did not realize he had caused the fatal chest wound.
Prosecutor Nicholas Lobbenberg KC revealed that Digwa had been training with weapons since age 12, spoke of the kirpan in 'loving terms,' and slept in a bedroom with an arsenal of weapons. While Sikhs are legally permitted to carry a kirpan, Lobbenberg noted that Digwa chose to carry two knives, one concealed and the larger blade openly displayed.
Victim Impact
Henry's father, Mark Nowak, broke down in tears while reading his victim impact statement, describing the heartbreaking loss of his 'beautiful son.' He said, 'As a father, it is my job to protect my child and I failed to keep him safe... the thought of him lying in the road, scared, bleeding to death will haunt me forever.'
Olivia, Henry's sister, addressed the defendant directly: 'If you had known him, you would never have hurt him.' She added, 'My brother was my first best friend, an unbreakable bond; we lived our life to the fullest together.'
Police Response and Investigation
Officers at the scene handcuffed the victim as he lay dying, despite his pleas for help. The incident drew attention from tech billionaire Elon Musk, who offered to fund a private prosecution against the police. The Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating the circumstances.
Digwa's mother, Kiran Kaur, was found guilty of assisting an offender by removing the weapon from the scene. The court emphasized the severity of the crime and the defendant's lack of remorse.
