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Killer filmed Henry Nowak as he died, appeal court hears
Developing story first seen 2 hours ago
The Court of Appeal is considering competing challenges to Vickrum Digwa’s minimum prison term for murdering Henry Nowak: Digwa says it is too long, while the Attorney General argues it is too short. The hearing brings renewed scrutiny to the actions that followed the stabbing and to whether the sentence reflects the case’s aggravating circumstances.
Prosecutor Jonathan Polnay KC said Digwa abused the religious exemption allowing Sikhs to carry bladed articles, and cited his filming of the dying student, false claim that Nowak attacked him, and efforts to mislead police and conceal evidence. Nowak, 18, was stabbed in Southampton on 3 December and handcuffed before receiving medical attention; body-worn footage later prompted protests. Digwa, 23, was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 21 years in June, and is separately seeking to challenge his conviction, with permission for that appeal still undecided.
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In short
- Digwa is appealing his 21-year minimum term.
- The Attorney General says the term is too short.
- His conviction challenge is still awaiting a decision.
How this story developed
- 31 minutes ago Vickrum Digwa, 23, is appealing his life sentence for murdering 18-year-old Henry Nowak in Southampton, while the Attorney General argues the minimum term is too short.
- 33 minutes ago The Court of Appeal is considering competing challenges to Vickrum Digwa’s minimum prison term for murdering Henry Nowak: Digwa says it is too long, while the Attorney General argues it is too short.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The minimum term should be increased because the murder involved serious aggravating features: the prosecution says Digwa filmed Nowak as he died, falsely claimed Nowak had attacked him, and tried to mislead police and conceal evidence. On this view, the sentence should reflect the gravity of those actions and the abuse of a religious exemption for carrying a bladed article, as well as provide proportionate punishment.
The case against
The minimum term should not be increased, and Digwa argues that 21 years is already too long. A thoughtful case for that position would be that sentencing must remain proportionate to the murder itself and the offender’s individual circumstances, rather than allowing deeply disturbing conduct after the stabbing to determine the term beyond what the law and sentencing principles justify.
Explained simply
Henry Nowak was an 18-year-old student who was stabbed in Southampton on 3 December. Vickrum Digwa, who was 23 at the time, was convicted of his murder and sentenced to life in prison, with a minimum term of 21 years before he can seek release.
In England and Wales, a life sentence means a person remains under sentence for life; the minimum term sets the earliest point at which release can be considered. The Attorney General can ask an appeal court to increase a sentence they consider too low, while a prisoner can appeal against one they consider too long.
The case has also drawn attention to what happened after the stabbing, including the handling of Nowak before medical care and the recording of his final moments. Police body-worn camera footage prompted protests, and the court has heard arguments about the conduct and evidence considered when setting the minimum term.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Henry Nowak’s killer filmed him as he lay dying after stabbing ‘unarmed and defenceless’ teenager, court told”.