'Individuals at fault will be held to account' - warning to police over alleged Henry Nowak murder failings
Vickrum Digwa failed in his bid to have his sentence reduced - and had his sentence increased
The crime commissioner has warned those responsible for alleged failings over Henry Nowak’s murder will be held to account.
Responding to ITV's documentary Dear Henry: Our Fight for Justice, Hampshire’s crime commissioner Donna Jones insisted there will be repercussions for those in Hampshire police who let down Henry after he was stabbed to death by Vickrum Digwa.
It comes as judges at the Court of Appeal have ruled the original 21 year sentence for Digwa was “unduly lenient” after the 23-year-old stabbed the Southampton student to death last year.
Digwa was convicted of murdering Henry, who was simply walking home after a night out with friends on December 3, 2025. During the attack, Digwa used a large, bladed weapon to kill Henry, 18, and accused the student of racially abusing him when speaking to police.
Digwa, who also sought to challenge the sentence as “manifestly excessive”, has now had his sentence increased to 25 years.
Ms Jones, speaking of possible action against those within the police, said: “The way in which Henry Nowak died was harrowing. Henry’s last moments, caught on police body-worn video, shocked the nation.
"I cannot imagine the pain the Nowak family felt seeing the footage for the first time. This raises serious questions about what happened on 3 December 2025 and in the way they were treated afterwards. Henry’s family’s experience has compounded their heart-breaking pain at a time of unimaginable grief.
"The circumstances surrounding Henry’s murder are rightly subject to a number of reviews. No organisation should be beyond scrutiny. No stone should be left unturned.
"As Commissioner, I am of the belief there must be formal accountability for what went wrong. I will be ensuring at the end of the formal investigations that those organisations and individuals at fault will be held to account.
"I will do everything I can to ensure the questions being asked by Henry’s family are answered."
In June 2026, the Commissioner asked His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services to carry out an independent review of police training and culture. The inspection is expected to conclude in early 2027.