Court Increases Minimum Term for Henry Nowak’s Killer to 25 Years
The UK Court of Appeal has raised Vickrum Digwa's minimum sentence to 25 years, ruling the original term for the Southampton murder unduly lenient.
POLICY WIRE — Southampton, UK — The Court of Appeal has extended the minimum prison term for the man convicted of the murder of Henry Nowak, raising the required sentence to 25 years.
Vickrum Digwa was originally sentenced to serve at least 21 years following the fatal stabbing of the 18-year-old student with a large dagger on Belmont Road back on December 3, 2025.
The Attorney General brought the case before the court arguing that the initial sentence was unduly lenient, while Digwa simultaneously contested that his term was manifestly excessive.\
Lady Chief Justice Baroness Carr quashed the original sentence, stating that it failed to adequately reflect the seriousness of the murder.>
During the proceedings, Digwa—whose personal appeal was rejected—claimed that Nowak had attacked and racially abused him. He suggested the student, who was from Chafford Hundred in Essex, was handcuffed while he was still dying.
However, the trial judge previously dismissed Digwa’s allegations of racism as false, leading to the 22-year-old’s life sentence at Southampton Crown Court this past June.
The appeals were heard on Thursday by Baroness Carr, Mr Justice Nicklin, and Mr Justice Wall, with Digwa participating via a video link from HMP Frankland.
While the Lady Chief Justice noted the trial judge could have started with a 15-year term because Digwa did not intend to bring the knife to the scene initially, she emphasized that a very significant uplift was mandatory due to the use of a large kirpan.
A kirpan is a religious blade that Sikhs are expected to carry; while the law permits its possession for religious reasons, Digwa carried a small version around his neck and a larger one on his belt associated with the Nihang order.
The court ruled that the legality of carrying the blade initially does not reduce the seriousness of its subsequent lethal use.>
Baroness Carr observed that the first sentence downplayed the repeated use of the weapon with lethal intent, along with the deliberate cruelty, additional suffering and obstruction that followed.
She explicitly stated the original ruling was not only lenient, but unduly so.>
After accounting for time already spent on remand, Digwa must now remain in custody for at least 24 years and 190 days before applying for parole.
Henry’s father, Mark Nowak, and the wider family described their existence as a life sentence of grief, but acknowledged the ruling as an important step towards justice.”>
The family noted that no sentence could return their son to them and expressed their intent to support an independent rapid review led by Alex Chalk.
Attorney General Ellie Reeves expressed horror at the brutality of the crime, stating that the British public shares this sentiment and hoping the outcome provides the justice the family deserves.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
