Vickrum Digwa convicted of murdering student Henry Nowak in Southampton stabbing

Vickrum Digwa, 23, was found guilty of stabbing 18-year-old Henry Nowak five times with a ceremonial knife in Southampton. His mother was convicted of assisting an offender.

Man jailed for life after stabbing university student to death with ceremonial blade in Southampton

Vickrum Digwa, 23, has been found guilty of murdering 18-year-old Henry Nowak, a first-year University of Southampton student who was stabbed five times as he walked home from a night out on 3 December, bbc.com reports.

Digwa used a 21cm blade — which he said he carried as part of his Sikh faith — to kill Nowak, who was walking back to his accommodation in Belmont Road at around 23:30 GMT. The attack was not witnessed, but neighbours heard Nowak say he had been stabbed and was dying. He attempted to escape by climbing over a fence, leaving a trail of blood behind him.

The prosecution told Southampton Crown Court that Nowak had been stabbed twice in the back of his legs, once in the face, and received a fatal wound to the chest. His blood alcohol level at the time was below the drink-drive limit.

Digwa told the court he had acted in self-defence, claiming Nowak had used a racist insult, punched him and knocked his turban off. The jury rejected that account and found him guilty of murder. He also showed little emotion as the verdict was read out, gazing out into the courtroom.

His mother, Kiran Kaur, 53, was found guilty of assisting an offender. Kaur appeared visibly upset in the dock. Sobs were heard at the back of the public gallery, while Nowak's family let out a sigh and embraced as they left the room.

Following the attack, Digwa gave the knife to his mother. Police later recovered it at the family home, along with more than 20 other Sikh weapons.

Digwa was also found guilty of carrying a knife in public.

Police conduct referred to watchdog

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) after it emerged that officers had initially handcuffed and arrested Nowak as he lost consciousness. The referral followed confirmation that a 999 call made by Digwa's brother, Gurpreet Digwa, had misled officers at the scene.

Gurpreet Digwa repeatedly told police that his brother had been "attacked racially", saying: "We're Sikhs, we wear a turban and he's just attacked my brother." He also told officers: "I don't know what weapons he would have seen," and claimed there were no weapons involved.

Robert France, temporary deputy chief constable, apologised for the handling of the incident. "They were lied to in the 999 call by Henry's killer, they were lied to as they arrived at the scene and we know that as a result they didn't understand what had happened for several minutes and that is an absolute tragedy," France told the BBC. "I'm sorry that he had been handcuffed and arrested as he lost consciousness. I don't want to hide the facts."

Chris Philp, the Conservative shadow home secretary, was more critical, describing the officers' actions as "shameful". "The police seemed more interested in cuffing someone accused of making a racist comment than in saving a dying man," Philp said, calling on the force to "end its fixation on race and alleged racism in the way it approaches policing."

Sikh Federation responds

The Sikh Federation UK issued a statement following the verdicts, saying: "Henry's life has tragically been cut short by a moment of madness by an individual for which there can be no excuses." The federation noted that the wider Sikh community had "faced considerable abuse and hate during the trial" and that many do not understand the legal position on the Kirpan.

Under Section 139 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988, carrying a bladed article in a public place for religious reasons can constitute a legal defence — but that protection does not apply when the item is used in an act of violence.

The federation said the blade used by Digwa "was not the normal Kirpan worn by fully practising Sikhs" and described the case as "an isolated incident", adding: "The Sikh community is committed to promoting greater understanding and ensuring lessons are learned."

Family tribute

Nowak, who was from Chafford Hundred in Essex, had been studying accountancy and finance and was out with his football teammates on the night he was killed. His family described him as "our kind, intelligent and talented son", saying he had been "fully embracing university life".

"Our hearts ache when we think of the bright future he had ahead of him, full of opportunity and adventures," his family said. "Our world will never be the same without our amazing Henry."

Professor Jane Falkingham, vice-president of engagement and international at the University of Southampton, said the day was one to remember Nowak, who "touched many lives and made many friends."

Digwa is due to be sentenced on Monday at Southampton Crown Court. His mother will be sentenced on 17 July.

Source: Google News UK — Crime (en)