Vickrum Digwa had his sentence increased for the murder of Henry Nowak, with his minimum custodial term rising from 21 to 25 years. The decision was made by the UK Court of Appeal, which ruled that the initial sentence was “unduly lenient.” The Court of Appeal also rejected Digwa’s attempt to challenge the sentence as “manifestly excessive.” The defendant, who appeared via video link from HMP Frankland prison, showed no significant reaction to the announcement of the ruling. [1]

The family of the victim, Henry Nowak, issued a statement expressing that they have now embarked on a “life sentence of grief.” While the family welcomed the decision as “an important step toward justice for Henry and for us,” they emphasized that no punishment can bring Henry back and that the “fight for justice is far from over.” Family members were present at the hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice in London, some with tears in their eyes at the moment the sentence was announced. [2]

Attorney General Ellie Reeves, who referred the case to the Court of Appeal initially, welcomed the ruling. She described the brutality of the case as something that horrified her and said she hoped the outcome would bring a form of justice to the family. Prosecution lawyer Jonathan Polnay KC argued that Digwa had “misused the privilege” granted to Sikhs to carry blades in public, referring to the kirpan, a religious accessory. He also used a large knife, a 21cm dagger, a tradition of the Sikh Nihang order. [1] [2]

The court highlighted that Digwa filmed the victim as he was dying, bringing the camera close to Henry’s face and speaking verbally. Lady Chief Justice Baroness Carr described this act as “incomprehensible cruelty,” recalling that Henry was an unarmed and unharmed stranger. The defense prosecutor Imran Khan KC’s argument that the 21-year sentence already reflected aggravating characteristics was rejected by the judges, who determined that the Southhampton Crown Court’s overall assessment substantially minimized two distinct dimensions of the offense: the circumstances involving the use of a readily available dagger and the deliberate post-attack cruelty. [1] [2]

The incident, which occurred on December 3 in Southampton, sparked unrest after a video recorded by a body-worn camera was made public, showing officers handcuffing young Henry Nowak behind his back while he was still struggling. This led to the launch of a rapid independent investigation to examine “any missed opportunities to intervene.” The new 25-year term will be reduced by 175 days, the period Digwa spent in pre-sentence detention before his incarceration on June 1, meaning he will now serve at least 24 years and 190 days before becoming eligible for parole. [1] [2]

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Sources

  1. standard.co.uk Vickrum Digwa’s sentence for Henry Nowak murder increased at Court of Appeal
  2. standard.co.uk Henry Nowak’s family face ‘life sentence of grief’ as killer’s term increased