Murder of Henry Nowak: Sentence Appeal and Court Decisions Scheduled

According to BBC UK, Vickrum Digwa, who fatally stabbed 18-year-old Henry Nowak in Southampton in December 2025, has been granted permission to contest the duration of his sentence at the Court of Appeal on November 5. Digwa was initially sentenced in June to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years. The court will also address a referral made by the Attorney General's office, which contended that the sentence was too lenient. Separately, Digwa has applied to appeal his murder conviction.

Furthermore, the 23-year-old was also sentenced for possessing a knife in public, despite asserting in court that the 21cm (8in) blade was being carried as part of his Sikh faith. Following the stabbing of Nowak, who originated from Chafford Hundred in Essex, Digwa falsely told police that he was the victim of a racist attack.

The incident led to protests after body-worn footage surfaced, which reportedly showed officers not providing first aid to Nowak, who stated he could not breathe, but instead handcuffing him as he was dying. The Independent Office for Police Conduct had previously stated it was investigating two officers for potential gross misconduct. During the protests in Southampton on June 2, twelve police officers and a police dog sustained injuries. More than 30 individuals have since been charged with violent disorder related to the event.

On June 15, former Solicitor General Ellie Reeves KC referred the matter to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme. Sikh leaders have reported an increase in hate crime and a "backlash" against their community subsequent to the case.