Vickrum Digwa Sentencing: Southampton Crown Court

STUDENT KILLER FACES LIFE BEHIND BARS TODAY

We are live from Southampton Crown Court this afternoon, where Ian Charteris is in position as we await the sentencing of a man convicted of a fatal knife attack.

Here is a summary of the facts established during the trial as the court prepares to convene:

•  The Conviction: Vickrum Digwa, 23, is facing a mandatory life sentence after a jury found him guilty on Thursday of murdering 18-year-old Henry Nowak during a street confrontation in Southampton last December.
•  The Victim: The court previously heard that Henry, a university student originally from Chafford Hundred in Essex, was walking back alone to his student accommodation following a night out with his football teammates when the fatal encounter occurred.
•  The Defence Rejected: During the trial, Digwa attempted to claim he acted in self-defence, alleging that the teenager was intoxicated, shouted racist abuse, and physically assaulted him by knocking off his turban.
•  A "Wicked Lie": The prosecution systematically dismantled this narrative, successfully arguing to the jury that the defendant had completely fabricated a "wicked lie" in a calculated attempt to save himself from a custodial sentence.
•  Police Investigation: It was confirmed during the trial that the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has an ongoing investigation into the actions of the responding police force. This follows the revelation that the dying teenager was handcuffed at the scene after officers were misled by Digwa's false allegations.

LIVE REPORTING:

Edited by Michael Bernstein.

🔴 VICKRUM DIGWA SENTENCING: MON 1 JUNE 2026

16:15

🔴 POLICE FLOOD COURTROOM FOYER AFTER DISPUTE

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Fourteen police officers have arrived in the main foyer of Southampton Crown Court following the angry verbal confrontation between the families.

Reporters and members of the public have now moved outside the building in anticipation of a formal statement from the Nowak family ⬇️

16:10

🔴 DIGWA LED DOWN TO START LIFE TERM

Read more: Vickrum Digwa Guilty Of Southampton Student Murder

Vickrum Digwa has been led out of the courtroom by dock officers to begin his life sentence. The 23-year-old will serve a minimum of 21 years behind bars before he can be considered for release by the Parole Board ⬇️

16:09

🔴 VICKRUM DIGWA JAILED FOR LIFE

Judge William Mousley KC has officially handed down a mandatory life sentence to Vickrum Digwa for the murder of Henry Nowak and carrying a bladed article. The judge set the final minimum term at 21 years ⬇️

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16:08

🔴 TERM REDUCED BY TWO YEARS FOR MITIGATION

The judge noted that aggravating features initially pushed the minimum term up to 23 years. However, this baseline was reduced to 21 years to reflect mitigating factors, including Digwa's young age and his previous good character record ⬇️

16:07

🔴 AGGRAVATING FACTORS INCREASE SENTENCE SCALE

Judge Mousley KC ruled that several aggravating factors increased the severity of the offence. These included Digwa's calculated attempts to lie to the police, his efforts to cover up the crime scene, and the significant community impact ⬇️

16:06

🔴 DIGWA RESPONSIBLE FOR MOTHER'S IMPRISONMENT

The judge told Digwa he bears responsibility for the offence committed by his mother, Kiran Kaur, after asking her to hide the weapon. The court heard she has already remained in custody for the past seven months ⬇️

16:05

🔴 CRIME STIRRED UP NATIONAL RACIAL TENSIONS

"Your actions have stirred up racial tension in Southampton and across the country which have made many Sikhs worried about their safety," the judge stated, addressing the broader societal fallout of the fabricated trial defense ⬇️

16:04

🔴 SHAME BROUGHT UPON SIKH RELIGION

Delivering his final remarks to the defendant, Judge William Mousley KC told Vickrum Digwa directly: "You have brought shame upon your family and your religion." The judge condemned the misuse of a sacred symbol for violence ⬇️

16:03

🔴 JUDGE CONCLUDES STATUTORY SENTENCING REVIEW

The court has completed its review of the aggravating and mitigating arguments submitted by both the Crown and defense counsel. Judge Mousley KC is now delivering the final calculation for the minimum custodial term ⬇️

15:59

🔴 STABBED TEENAGER SCALED NEIGHBOURING FENCE

The judge detailed how the wounded student scaled a fence before landing on a vehicle parked at a nearby property. Digwa captured these final movements on his phone camera instead of summoning emergency medical assistance ⬇️

15:58

🔴 NO INDEPENDENT EVIDENCE OF DIGWA INJURY

The court heard that Digwa claimed to attending police officers that he had sustained a small bruise and swelling to his eye from a punch. However, the judge noted there was no independent medical or forensic evidence produced during the trial to substantiate any such injury ⬇️

15:57

🔴 VICTIM WAS DEFENCELESS DURING ATTACK

Delivering his sentencing remarks, Judge William Mousley KC described the 18-year-old university student as completely "defenceless" when Digwa drew the weapon. The judge rejected any suggestion that the victim posed a physical threat to the defendant ⬇️

🔴 FATAL STRIKE UNFAVORABLE TO SURVIVAL

The judge cited medical evidence from the pathologist, confirming that no emergency medical treatment could have accessed the severed vein behind the collarbone. Henry Nowak could not have survived the wound ⬇️

15:58

🔴 KNIFE SEVERED LUNG AND COLLARONE VEIN

Judge Mousley KC described how Digwa drew his dagger from its sheath and deliberately stabbed the student. The blade passed upward through soft tissue between the top ribs, catching a lung and cutting a vital vein ⬇️

15:57

🔴 KILLER DECLARED "I AM A BAD MAN"

The judge told Digwa that after the student asked the question, "You moved towards him and confidently told him that you were a bad man." Digwa then immediately drew the weapon ⬇️

15:56

🔴 COMMENT TO DIGWA A "TRAGIC ERROR"

Judge William Mousley KC stated that Henry Nowak had "perhaps cheekily" made a comment asking Digwa "if you were a bad man" while filming on his phone. The judge noted the teenager's tone was not aggressive or threatening, but termed the interaction a "tragic error of judgement" ⬇️

15:55

🔴 KIRPAN IS SYMBOL OF FAITH ONLY

The judge emphasised that the religious knife is a "symbol of religious faith and is never to be carried for an offensive purpose." He told Digwa that carrying it in public brings a "huge responsibility" ⬇️

15:54

🔴 CARRYING KNIVES NOT A STRICT REQUIREMENT

Judge Mousley KC remarked that carrying the weapons was not a "strict requirement" for the family, observing that neither Digwa's brother nor his father had arrived at the scene that night equipped with knives ⬇️

15:53

🔴 DEFENDANT CARRIED SECOND ILLEGAL KNIFE

The court heard Digwa carried a second knife because of a personal belief that the "guru will look favourably on" it. The kirpan itself was not the weapon used to kill Henry Nowak ⬇️

15:52

🔴 JUDGE ADDRESSES SIKH RELIGIOUS KNIVES

Judge William Mousley KC began detailing the religious aspects of the case, noting that Vickrum Digwa is a Sikh who was wearing a traditional kirpan alongside a secondary knife on the night of the murder ⬇️

15:51

🔴 COURT EXAMINES EVENTS LEADING TO ATTACK

The judge has turned his sentencing remarks to the precise moments before the stabbing occurred on the Southampton street corner, reviewing phone footage recorded by the victim ⬇️

15:48

🔴 DIGWA ROBBED VICTIM OF LIFE

Judge William Mousley KC addressed the defendant directly, stating: "You, Vickrum Digwa, murdered him. By doing so, you robbed him of all those he loved, all the things he cared about and liked to do" ⬇️

15:47

🔴 JUDGE PRAISES MURDERED STUDENT

The judge described Henry Nowak as a "much-loved, kind, hard-working and ambitious young man devoted to his family." Digwa was ordered to stand in the dock to face the court's final assessment ⬇️

15:46

🔴 DEFENCE RACISM CLAIM CHALLENGED BY FACTS

The prosecution had earlier argued that Digwa’s false trial narrative—labelling Henry as a "racist, drunk, violent aggressor"—directly compounded the natural grief and profound loss experienced by the deceased's family ⬇️

15:45

🔴 VICTIM'S ALCOHOL LEVEL BELOW DRIVING LIMIT

Medical evidence confirmed Henry Nowak's blood alcohol level was below the legal driving limit. The judge noted Henry was not a regular drinker, directly contradicting Digwa's claim that a drunk student "barged" into him ⬇️

15:44

🔴 STREET ENCOUNTER DETAILS RECOUNTED

The judge detailed how Henry was walking back to his student accommodation at around 11pm after a night out when he encountered Digwa on a street corner, triggering the fatal incident ⬇️

15:43

🔴 FAMILY VOID HIGHLIGHTED BY JUDGE

Judge William Mousley KC recounted the victim impact evidence, noting Henry's father spoke of a permanent "void." He acknowledged the family's ongoing struggle to perform daily tasks and return to work ⬇️

15:42

🔴 JUDGE REVIEWS IMPACT STATEMENTS

The judge began his formal analysis by reading out a comprehensive summary of the victim impact statements delivered by Henry Nowak's relatives, detailing the severe emotional aftermath of the murder ⬇️

15:36

🔴 DEFENCE REPEATS NO PREMEDITATION ARGUMENT

The defence team reminded the court that Digwa had not gone out with the intention to commit a crime on the night of the attack. This point was raised to counter the Crown's push for a higher minimum term ⬇️

15:35

🔴 CROWN ARGUES FOR QUARTER-CENTURY STARTING POINT

Prosecutor Nicholas Lobbenberg KC told the court that a 25-year starting point should be used by the judge to calculate the minimum term. This recommendation forms the baseline for the mandatory life sentence ⬇️

15:34

🔴 DIGWA CONVICTED OF WEAPON AND MURDER CHARGES

As the sentencing remarks begin, the court has been reminded that Digwa was found guilty of murder and of carrying a bladed article in a public place. The murder conviction carries an automatic life sentence ⬇️

15:33

🔴 JUDGE MOUSLEY KC BEGINS SENTENCING REMARKS

Judge William Mousley KC has begun delivering his formal sentencing remarks in the case against Vickrum Digwa. The defendant faces his mandatory term following last week's jury verdict ⬇️

15:32

🔴 CO-DEFENDANT MOTHER NOT IN PUBLIC GALLERY

Digwa’s mother, Kiran Kaur, who was found guilty of assisting an offender by hiding the murder weapon from the crime scene, is not in the public gallery. She is appearing separately for her own sentencing ⬇️

15:31

🔴 VICTIM'S FAMILY SEATED BEHIND DEFENCE RELATIVES

Members of Vickrum Digwa’s family are sitting in the public gallery just two rows in front of Henry Nowak’s family. Many of the victim's relatives previously delivered emotional impact statements to the court ⬇️

15:30

🔴 KILLER'S FAMILY SEATED AWAITING JUDGE'S RETURN

The family of Vickrum Digwa has taken their seats in the public gallery at Southampton Crown Court. The courtroom is waiting for the judge to return to the bench to hand down the life sentence ⬇️

15:14

🔴 JUDGE RETIRES TO CONSIDER SENTENCE

The court has paused briefly ahead of the final sentencing exercise. Judge William Mousley KC retired to consider the victim impact evidence and the aggravating factors presented by the Crown ⬇️

15:13

🔴 INCIDENT HAPPENED QUICKLY DEFENCE ARGUES

Defence counsel Jeremy Wainwright KC argued that the confrontation between the two men developed rapidly. He told the court that the entire incident unfolded very quickly and unexpectedly ⬇️

15:12

🔴 NO INTENT TO COMMIT CRIME

Mitigating before the judge, Mr Wainwright KC stated that Digwa did not leave his property that night with the intention to commit any offence at all, urging the court to consider the lack of premeditation ⬇️

15:11

🔴 DEFENCE OFFERS BRIEF MITIGATION STATEMENTS

The defence team for Vickrum Digwa has offered a short series of mitigating arguments to the judge. The statements conclude the formal representations on behalf of the convicted murderer ⬇️

15:10

🔴 RACISM ALLEGATION COMPOUNDED FAMILY GRIEF

The Crown argued that Digwa's trial defence—which labelled Henry as a racist, drunk, and violent aggressor—directly compounded the natural grief and profound sense of loss experienced by the deceased's family ⬇️

15:09

🔴 DEFENDANT FILMED DYING TEENAGER ON GROUND

The prosecutor told the court that Digwa used his phone to film Henry fleeing and subsequently lying injured on the ground. The Crown described this filming as both intrusive and humiliating ⬇️

15:08

🔴 VICTIM DIED HANDCUFFED DUE TO DISHONESTY

The prosecution outlined three specific aggravating factors, stating Henry Nowak died "alone, humiliated and handcuffed." The Crown submits this occurred as a direct result of Digwa's dishonesty to attending officers ⬇️

15:07

🔴 KNIFE WAS READY FOR IMMEDIATE USE

The prosecution argued that Digwa carried a weapon that was ready and available for immediate use during the encounter. The court heard the knife was deployed directly against the unarmed victim ⬇️

15:06

🔴 KILLER DESCRIBED AS WEAPONS OBSESSED

The prosecutor described Digwa as a man with a "weapons obsession" who trained and slept in a room with weapons. Phone data also revealed the defendant frequently searched for weapons online ⬇️

15:05

🔴 CROWN DEMANDS 25-YEAR STARTING POINT

The prosecution has submitted that Judge William Mousley KC should apply a minimum starting point of 25 years for Vickrum Digwa's life sentence, citing the use of a knife taken to the scene ⬇️

15:04

🔴 LEGAL SUBMISSIONS ON SENTENCING RANGE BEGIN

The prosecution has commenced its formal opening on the sentencing guidelines at Southampton Crown Court. Counsel is outlining the statutory framework governing mandatory life terms for knife murder ⬇️

14:45

🔴 STEPFATHER DETAILS POLICE KNOCK

The victim impact statement for Henry’s stepfather, David Stevenson, described the moment police knocked on the door. He told the court the family's life was changed forever ⬇️

14:43

🔴 VIOLENT DEATH ALTERED EVERYTHING

David Stevenson stated: "The shock and pain of losing him in such a violent way has altered everything in our lives." He noted that he still struggles to process the tragedy ⬇️

14:41

🔴 STEPFATHER INCREDIBLY PROUD OF HENRY

Mr Stevenson said he shared a special relationship with his stepson, of whom he was incredibly proud. He remembered the teenager as a mature young man who was "beyond his years" ⬇️

14:39

🔴 HENRY DESCRIBED AS RISK-AVERSE

The court heard Henry was so risk-averse he worried about speeding two kilometres over the limit. Mr Stevenson described him as careful, thoughtful, and always wanting to do the right thing ⬇️

14:37

🔴 STRONG VALUES DEFINE VICTIM

David Stevenson added that Henry's character was defined by strong values and an intolerance for negativity. The statement concluded his character stood out most to those who knew him ⬇️

14:35

🔴 SISTER ADDRESSES KILLER IN DOCK

Henry’s sister, Olivia Novak, addressed Vickrum Digwa directly in court. Looking toward the dock, the 21-year-old stated: "If you had known Henry, you would never have hurt him" ⬇️

14:33

🔴 EMPTY BEDROOM FILLS SISTER WITH EMOTION

Olivia Novak's voice broke as she explained her home no longer feels like a safe place. She told the court that walking past Henry’s empty bedroom now fills her with emotion ⬇️

14:31

🔴 BROTHER SHOULD NOT BE FOREVER 18

Olivia stated: "My brother should not be forever 18, he deserved to grow old and start a family of his own." She added she has lost a lot of herself since his death ⬇️

14:29

🔴 SISTER'S WORLD FELL APART

Olivia Novak described Henry as her "first best friend" and said her world fell apart on the day of his death. She noted the bond they shared was broken by someone else's decision ⬇️

14:27

🔴 DIGWA FACES SENTENCING FOR MURDER

Vickrum Digwa, 23, faces a mandatory life sentence following his conviction for murder. A jury found him guilty of stabbing 18-year-old student Henry Nowak to death last December ⬇️

14:25

🔴 FATHER APOLOGISES TO DYING SON

Mark Nowak concluded his statement with the words: "To my dying son, who I love beyond words, I'm so sorry that I let this happen." He stated he would swap places with him in a heartbeat ⬇️

14:23

🔴 VICTIM WAS KIND AND POPULAR

The court heard Henry "did nothing wrong" and was a good boy who loved sport. His father stated that the teenager was exceptionally kind, popular, and well-liked by teachers ⬇️

14:21

🔴 HENRY-SHAPED HOLE IN THE FAMILY

Mark Nowak described the agonizing reality of "sitting in a mortuary holding his hand, the same hand I held when he was born." He stated there is now a "Henry-shaped hole" in their family ⬇️

14:19

🔴 FATHER SOUGHT TO FIX THINGS

The victim's father stated: "I've always been the person who fixes things for my family... In this nightmare I am completely helpless." He expressed guilt over encouraging Henry to go to university ⬇️

14:17

🔴 PROUD DRIVING SON TO UNIVERSITY

Mark Nowak recalled shedding a "quiet tear" of pride as he drove home after dropping Henry off in Southampton. He never imagined returning 10 weeks later to identify his body ⬇️

14:15

🔴 HAUNTED BY SON'S FINAL MOMENTS

The first impact statement came from Henry’s father, Mark Nowak. He stated he will be haunted forever by the murder and remains tormented by thoughts of Henry lying bleeding in the road ⬇️

14:13

🔴 DIGWA WATCHES PROCEEDINGS FROM DOCK

Convicted murderer Vickrum Digwa sits in the dock flanked by two uniformed security guards. He is wearing a grey suit, light blue shirt, dark tie, and a blue turban ⬇️

14:11

🔴 PUBLIC GALLERY PACKED FOR SENTENCING

Proceedings are now underway at Southampton Crown Court. The courtroom is completely packed, and the public gallery is filled with relatives and observers ahead of the updates ⬇️

14:09

🔴 VICTIM IMPACT STATEMENTS BEGIN

The court has begun hearing a handful of victim impact statements from the family of Henry Nowak. The statements outline the personal toll of the fatal knife attack in Southampton ⬇️

14:07

🔴 MANDATORY LIFE TERM AWAITS DIGWA

Vickrum Digwa faces a mandatory life sentence this afternoon. The 23-year-old was convicted by a jury on Thursday after his self-defence claims were rejected by the court ⬇️

14:05

🔴 MOTHER KIRAN KAUR IN THE DOCK

Digwa's mother, Kiran Kaur, 53, is also appearing in the dock today. She is awaiting sentencing alongside her son after being found guilty of assisting an offender ⬇️

14:03

🔴 CROWN DISMANTLED DEFENCE NARRATIVE

During the trial, the prosecution successfully argued that Digwa fabricated a "wicked lie" about racist abuse. The jury rejected his claims that the victim initiated the assault ⬇️

14:01

🔴 IOPC INVESTIGATION CONFIRMED AS ONGOING

The court previously heard that the Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating the responding force. The dying teenager was handcuffed after police were misled by Digwa ⬇️

13:59

🔴 VICTIM WAS RETURNING FROM NIGHT OUT

Henry Nowak, an 18-year-old university student from Essex, was walking back alone to his accommodation when attacked. He had been out with his university football teammates ⬇️

13:57

🔴 STREET CONFRONTATION PROVED FATAL

The trial established that the fatal encounter occurred during a street confrontation last December. Digwa used a knife to inflict the mortal injuries on the unarmed student ⬇️

13:55

🔴 LIVE SENTENCING COVERAGE COMMENCES

Good afternoon from Southampton Crown Court. We are live for the sentencing of Vickrum Digwa and Kiran Kaur following their convictions linked to the murder of Henry Nowak ⬇️