Vickrum Digwa, 23, was convicted of murdering 18-year-old student Henry Nowak in Southampton in December 2025 [1, 2]. Digwa was sentenced in June 2026 to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years before parole eligibility at Southampton Crown Court [1, 2]. The Court of Appeal will review the 21-year minimum term after Solicitor General Ellie Reeves referred the sentence under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme, saying the case had "horrified me" and expressing hope for justice for Nowak’s family [1, 2].
Digwa was carrying a small kirpan, a ceremonial Sikh blade, under his clothing, as well as a larger 21 cm knife which he used to fatally stab Nowak [1, 2]. Digwa falsely claimed Nowak had racially abused and attacked him, a claim dismissed during the trial [1, 2]. Body camera footage showed Nowak being handcuffed by police despite telling officers he was stabbed and struggling to breathe, prompting criticism and an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) [1, 2]. Labour leader Keir Starmer called the footage “harrowing” and said there were “clearly serious questions” about how racism accusations affected police and judicial decisions [1].
Violent protests erupted in Southampton after the release of the footage in June 2026, leading to 23 charges related to disorder and 13 jail sentences [1, 2]. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said she expects a report on the police handling of Nowak’s injuries within three months [1].
Solicitor General Ellie Reeves stated, "No sentence can ever undo the devastation that Henry's family have suffered, or fill the void left by his loss. I hope the appeal process will help secure the justice the family deserves" [2]. The Court of Appeal’s review of the minimum term is the next step in the case’s legal proceedings and could result in an adjusted sentence [1].
