Henry Nowak’s murderer is seeking to overturn his conviction and lessen his punishment. Vickrum Digwa, aged 23, received a life sentence last month, with a minimum term of 21 years, for the murder of 18-year-old Henry. The solicitor general referred the case to the Court of Appeal to potentially increase the sentence.
Recent developments have revealed that Digwa’s legal team has filed a petition with the Court of Appeal to challenge his conviction and reduce the prison sentence. This news will undoubtedly distress Henry’s family, who previously urged for calm after a video surfaced showing the student’s arrest while he was fatally injured.
Henry was fatally stabbed multiple times with an 8-inch blade, which Digwa claimed he carried due to his Sikh beliefs. Digwa alleged that Henry instigated the altercation by racially abusing him, a claim disputed by the victim’s family.
An official from the Court of Appeal confirmed that Digwa’s case was flagged as “unduly lenient” and that an application for an appeal on conviction and sentence has been submitted. A single judge will determine whether Digwa can appeal, with a potential hearing involving three judges at the Court of Appeal Criminal Division.
Digwa was sentenced by Judge William Mousley KC at Southampton Crown Court on June 1. Henry’s father expressed dismay over the treatment disparity between his son and the killer. Nonetheless, he emphasized the family’s stance against further division or animosity.
Solicitor General Ellie Reeves KC MP, two weeks post-sentencing, expressed hope that her request to escalate the sentence would bring justice to Nowak’s family. Henry’s arrest by police while he was dying, on December 3, and the delayed realization of his fatal injury further fueled the controversy.
Following Digwa’s false claims to the police at the scene, protests erupted in Southampton after the sentencing. Two officers are under investigation for potential gross misconduct. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer met with Henry’s family, acknowledging the tragic nature of the case and advocating for a positive legacy for Henry beyond the tragedy.
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