Vickrum Digwa Guilty of Murdering Henry Nowak with Ceremonial Knife in Southampton

Vickrum Digwa, 23, has been found guilty of murder after using a 21cm ceremonial knife to kill Henry Nowak, an 18-year-old university student, in Southampton on 3 December.

Digwa maintained at Southampton Crown Court that he acted in self-defence, stating that Mr Nowak, who was walking home from a night out, had uttered a racist slur, punched him, and dislodged his turban. However, the jury dismissed this defence.

Beyond the murder conviction, Digwa was also found guilty of carrying a knife in public. His mother, Kiran Kaur, 53, received a guilty verdict for assisting an offender.

Mr Nowak, a first-year student at the University of Southampton, was returning to his accommodation when the fatal encounter occurred. The court heard that neighbours reported hearing Mr Nowak state he had been stabbed and was dying. He sustained five stab wounds, including a fatal chest injury, and attempted to escape by scaling a fence.

Following the attack, Digwa gave the weapon to his mother. Police subsequently discovered the knife at their family home, alongside over 20 other Sikh weapons. Digwa had initially lied to officers, claiming he was attacked but omitting Mr Nowak's injuries.

Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Constabulary's temporary deputy chief constable, Robert France, issued an apology for officers handcuffing Mr Nowak in the moments before his death. He stated that the initial 999 call and Digwa's subsequent lies had prevented officers from immediately comprehending the severity of the situation. The force has referred the incident to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

Sentencing for Digwa is scheduled for Monday at Southampton Crown Court, while his mother, Kiran Kaur, will be sentenced on 17 July.