A man with a "weapon obsession" has been sentenced to life in prison 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 in Southampton and will serve a minimum of 20 years before being eligible for parole.
False Claims and Police Response
When police arrived at the scene, Digwa falsely alleged that Nowak had racially abused him and knocked off his turban. This led officers to arrest and handcuff the student before realizing his fatal injuries. Hampshire Police have since apologized for their actions, which drew global criticism, including from Elon Musk. The Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating the incident.
Victim's Family Speaks Out
Speaking outside court, Nowak's father, Mark Nowak, condemned both the murderer and the police treatment of his son. "Henry did not die with dignity. He did not die with the care he deserved," he said. "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 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. As they approached each other, Nowak asked Digwa if he was a "bad man," possibly because he saw the large dagger. Mousley said, "I am sure Henry said nothing racist."
Weapon Obsession
Prosecutor Nicholas Lobbenberg KC described the killing as a "sustained attack on an unarmed man," adding that 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 filming Nowak as he ran away and lay injured, and his false defence that Nowak was a racist aggressor.
Background and Impact
Nowak, from Essex, was studying finance at the University of Southampton. He was attacked while walking home after a night out with his football team. In victim impact statements, his father described dropping him at university weeks before the murder, and his sister Olivia said 650 people attended his funeral. "My life will never be the same without my best friend," she said. His mother, Lucy Ross, recalled his joy at getting into university and said, "We speak about Henry every day and we always will."
The Sikh Federation noted that the Sikh community faced abuse during the trial and misunderstandings about the kirpan. UK law allows Sikhs to possess a kirpan for religious, ceremonial, sporting, or historical reasons.
