A man with a “weapon obsession” has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of a university student, using a “large Sikh dagger” he claimed to carry for religious reasons. Vickrum Digwa, 23, fatally stabbed 18-year-old Henry Nowak five times and will serve a minimum of 20 years before being eligible for parole.
False Claims and Police Response
When police arrived at the scene in Southampton, Digwa falsely alleged that Nowak had racially abused him and knocked off his turban. This led officers to arrest and handcuff the student before they noticed his fatal injuries. Hampshire police have since apologized for their actions, which drew global attention after criticism from X owner Elon Musk. The Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating the incident.
Family's Grief and Criticism
Speaking outside court, Nowak’s father, Mark Nowak, condemned the police treatment of his son, describing him as friendly and inclusive. “Henry did not die with dignity. He did not die with the care he deserved. We hold Vickrum Digwa solely and 100% responsible for the brutal murder of our son. But Henry should not have died on the streets of Southampton in police custody. The way he was treated was inhumane and degrading,” he said. He also called on the government to treat knife crime as a national emergency.
Judge's Remarks
Sentencing Digwa, Judge Mousley KC stated: “You have brought shame on your family, your community and your religion. Your actions have stirred up racial tension, which has made many Sikhs worried about their safety.” The judge described Nowak as principled and full of promise, noting that on the night of the attack, he was alone and unarmed. Mousley said that as they approached each other, Nowak asked Digwa if he was a “bad man,” possibly because he spotted the large dagger. The judge added: “I am sure Henry said nothing racist.”
Prosecution Details
Prosecutor Nicholas Lobbenberg KC described the killing as a “sustained attack on an unarmed man.” He said Digwa was “skilled with weapons, trained with weapons, sleeps with weapons, searches for weapons on his phone. He is a man with a weapon obsession.” Aggravating features included Digwa leaving Nowak to die alone, humiliated, and handcuffed, as well as making videos of Nowak running away and lying injured, which was “intrusive and humiliating.” Digwa’s false defence that Nowak was a racist, drunk aggressor added to the family’s grief.
Defence and Background
Jeremy Wainwright KC, for Digwa, said he had not intended to use the knife as a weapon that night and had no previous criminal record. Nowak, from Essex, was a finance student at the University of Southampton. He was attacked while walking home after a night out with his football team.
Victim Impact Statements
In his victim personal statement, Mark Nowak recalled taking his son, the eldest of four children, to university weeks before his murder. He said he felt he had let his son down by not protecting him. Nowak’s sister Olivia told the court that her brother lit up every room and that 650 people attended his funeral. “My life will never be the same without my best friend,” she said. His mother, Lucy Ross, remembered her son’s joy at getting into university. “We speak about Henry every day and we always will. He will always be loved beyond words.”
Community Reaction
The Sikh Federation stated that the Sikh community faced abuse during the trial and there was misunderstanding about the kirpan. It emphasised that the law only provides a defence for fully practising Sikhs to wear a kirpan for religious reasons. In the UK, it is lawful to possess a kirpan for religious, ceremonial, sporting, or historical reasons.
