Vickrum Digwa: Southampton Sikh who murdered teenager Henry Nowak is jailed for life

A man who stabbed a teenager to death has been sentenced to life in prison.

Last week, Vickrum Digwa, was found guilty at Southampton Crown Court of the murder of 18-year-old Henry Nowak, from Chafford Hundred, Essex, in Belmont Road, Southampton, on December 3 last year.

The 23-year-old was also convicted of carrying a ceremonial knife with a 21cm blade in a public place.

He was filmed by his victim, and was recorded saying: “I am a bad man” moments before the knife attack which included two stab wounds to the back of Mr Nowak’s legs and a fatal wound to his heart.

Giving evidence, the defendant told the court that Mr Nowak, who he described as drunk, had racially abused him before punching him and knocking his turban off. He said that he had stabbed Mr Nowak to the back of his legs in self-defence after Mr Nowak had threatened him and grabbed him by the hair but said he had not realised at the time he had caused the fatal stab wound to his chest.

But the prosecution said that Digwa had told a “wicked lie” to police who attended the scene by telling them that he had been the victim of a racist attack. He also “lied” by telling officers that he had not stabbed Mr Nowak despite the student’s pleas for help as he told the police that he was injured.

This led the officers to arrest Mr Nowak and putting him in handcuffs moments before he collapsed and became unconscious before dying despite their efforts to give him first aid.

Judge William Mousley KC said: “Henry Nowak was a much-loved, kind, hard-working and ambitious young man, devoted to his family and with a bright future. He was a first-year student at Southampton University, the first in his family to go to university, he was careful and principled, full of humour, warmth and promise.

“You, Vickrum Digwa, murdered him, by doing so you robbed him of all those he loved, all the things he cared about and liked to do.

“He would have been expected to live a long and hopefully happy and fulfilling life. You have brought misery and a lifetime of loss upon his family, and great sadness to everyone who knew him.”

Digwa was jailed for life and ordered to serve a minimum of 21 years.

Following his sentencing, Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones said: “Henry was falsely accused of racially aggravated assault as he lay dying on the ground, while his attacker stood by denying the violent act he had inflicted upon him. The incident that led to Henry being arrested and handcuffed was part of Digwa’s cruel intentions to frame himself as the victim.

“It is devasting the officers did not believe Henry when he said he’d been stabbed and couldn’t breathe. When officers realised he was gravely wounded, they uncuffed him and started CPR. His death is a national tragedy.

“The details of the police response raises serious concerns about police impartiality, fairness and judgement. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary has apologised for handcuffing and arresting Henry minutes before he died.

“The force also referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) the day after Henry lost his life. The findings of the IOPC review will be published, and as Commissioner I am committed to ensuring the findings are implemented without delay.

“Central to this incident is the fact that Vickrum Digwa was able to carry a knife in public because there is an exemption for those who observe the Sikh faith to carry ceremonial daggers. As commissioner, I intend to write to the Prime Minister to request a national review of the laws concerning the carrying of bladed articles under religious exemptions.

“Nothing can bring Henry back. There is no doubt Henry’s last moments were terrifying. My thoughts my remain with his family and I will do everything I can to ensure this can never happen again in this country.”