Southampton man jailed for life for murder of student with ‘religious’ knife

Vickrum Digwa, 23, who fatally stabbed Henry Nowak, 18, to serve at least 20 years before being eligible for parole

A man with a “weapon obsession” has been jailed for life for murdering a university student with a “large Sikh dagger” that he claimed to be carrying for religious reasons.

Vickrum Digwa, 23, who stabbed 18-year-old Henry Nowak five times, will serve at least 20 years before being eligible for parole.

When police arrived at the murder scene in Southampton, Digwa falsely claimed Nowak had racially abused him and knocked his turban off, causing officers to arrest and handcuff the student before they saw his fatal injuries.

Hampshire police have apologised for their actions, which received global attention after being criticised by the owner of X, Elon Musk. The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, is investigating the incident.

Speaking outside court, Nowak’s father, Mark Nowak, criticised how police had treated his son, whom he described as friendly and inclusive.

He said: “Henry did not die with dignity. He did not die with the care he deserved. We hold Vickrum Digwa solely and 100% responsible for the brutal murder of our son. But Henry should not have died on the streets of Southampton in police custody. The way he was treated was inhumane and degrading.”

He added: “We are calling on the government to treat knife crime as the national emergency that it is.”

Sentencing Digwa, Judge Mousley KC told him: “You have brought shame on your family, your community and your religion. Your actions have stirred up racial tension, which has made many Sikhs worried about their safety.”

The judge described Nowak as principled and full of promise. On the night of the attack, he was alone and unarmed.

Mousley said that as they approached each other Nowak asked Digwa if he was a “bad man”, possibly because he had spotted him carrying what the judge described as a “large Sikh dagger” – an unusual sight for an 18-year-old non-Sikh.

The judge said Digwa may have felt he was being disrespected, but added: “I am sure Henry said nothing racist.”

The prosecution, had told the jury at Southampton crown court that while Digwa was wearing a small kirpan (a ceremonial sword or dagger worn by initiated Sikhs) under his clothing around his neck, which met his religious obligation, he also chose to carry the much larger knife.

Mousley said practising Sikhs were allowed to be in public with a bladed article, but “that privilege brings with it a huge responsibility. It is a fundamental principle of Sikhism that a kirpan is worn as a sym