A Sikh man who fatally stabbed a university student with an extremely large ceremonial blade has been convicted of murder. Vickrum Digwa, 23, attacked 18-year-old Henry Nowak five times in Southampton on December 3 last year. When police arrived, Digwa falsely claimed he was the victim of a racist attack by Nowak, who spent his final moments handcuffed and unconscious after being arrested.
A senior police officer apologized for the officers' actions, and US tech billionaire Elon Musk offered to fund a private prosecution against the force. Musk posted on X: 'Unconscionable. I am happy to fund a wrongful death lawsuit against these disgusting excuses for law enforcement. They damn well better have been fired.'
Court Details
Jurors at Southampton Crown Court heard that Digwa had been training with weapons since age 12, described the murder weapon in 'loving terms,' and slept in a bedroom with an arsenal of weapons. Prosecutor Nicholas Lobbenberg KC noted that while Sikhs are legally permitted to carry a kirpan knife, discreetly carrying a small dagger under clothing suffices for religious requirements. The defendant chose to carry two knives, one concealed and the large one on display.
Digwa was filmed telling Nowak 'I am a bad man' moments before the attack, which included two stab wounds to the back of Nowak's legs and a fatal wound to his heart. He was also convicted of carrying a bladed weapon in public. His mother, Kiran Kaur, 53, was found guilty of assisting an offender by removing the weapon from the scene.
Defense Claims
In court, Digwa claimed Nowak, who he described as drunk, racially abused him, punched him, and knocked off his turban. He said he stabbed the teen in self-defense after being threatened and grabbed by the hair, but did not realize he had caused the fatal chest wound. However, the prosecution argued Digwa told a 'wicked lie' to police, claiming he was the victim of a racist attack and denying stabbing Nowak despite the student's pleas for help.
This led officers to arrest Nowak and handcuff him moments before he collapsed and died, despite their efforts to provide first aid. Judge William Mousley KC adjourned sentencing for Digwa to June 1 and Kaur to July 17.
Police Apology
Temporary Deputy Chief Constable Robert France apologized on behalf of officers, stating they were 'lied to' and unaware of Nowak's injury. He said: 'This is an absolutely tragic case... I want to apologize that Henry couldn't be saved that night. I'm sorry he was handcuffed and arrested in the moments before he lost consciousness.' France noted delays in calling police and lies from Digwa in the 999 call and at the scene. He confirmed officers began first aid within three minutes of engaging with Nowak.
France did not confirm litigation but said the force is open to scrutiny. He stated that guidance on carrying kirpans has been issued to all officers, and action will be taken against anyone breaching the law, regardless of community.
IOPC Investigation
An IOPC spokesman said: 'Our thoughts are with Henry Nowak's family. We are independently investigating the contact officers had with Mr Nowak prior to his death, including the use of handcuffs and first aid. Our investigation, which began after a mandatory referral, remains ongoing, and the officers are treated as witnesses.'
