Man Convicted of Murder in Southampton Knife Attack on 18-Year-Old Student Henry Nowak

A 23-year-old man has been convicted of murdering 18-year-old university student Henry Nowak using a ceremonial knife in Southampton. Vickrum Digwa claimed self-defence, alleging the teenager had made racist remarks and attacked him, but a jury rejected his account and found him guilty of murder. The case has also prompted a police investigation into how officers initially responded to the incident.

The Attack and Investigation

Henry Nowak, a first-year student at the University of Southampton from Essex, was walking home after a night out on 3 December when he was fatally attacked on Belmont Road. Digwa, carrying a 21-centimetre blade in a sheath around his neck, stabbed Nowak multiple times. Neighbours heard Nowak cry out that he had been stabbed and was dying. He attempted to flee by climbing over a fence, leaving a trail of blood behind him.

According to court evidence, Nowak sustained five stab wounds, including injuries to both back legs, his face, and a fatal wound to the chest. Following the attack, Digwa gave the knife to his mother, Kiran Kaur, who was later found guilty of assisting an offender. Police discovered the weapon at their family home alongside more than 20 other Sikh ceremonial weapons.

Defence and Verdict

Digwa told Southampton Crown Court that he carried the blade as part of his Sikh faith and claimed he had acted in self-defence. He alleged that Nowak had used a racist insult against him, punched him, and knocked off his turban during the confrontation. However, prosecutors argued these claims were fabricated to evade responsibility. The jury found him guilty of both murder and carrying a knife in public. His mother, Kiran Kaur, 53, received a guilty verdict for assisting an offender.

Police Conduct Under Review

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct following revelations about the initial police response. Officers at the scene handcuffed and arrested Nowak as he was losing consciousness, unaware he was the victim rather than the attacker. This occurred after Digwa's brother made a 999 call providing misleading information about the incident. Temporary Deputy Chief Constable Robert France apologised, acknowledging that officers had been given false information and faced an "extremely complex" crime scene.

Digwa will be sentenced on Monday at Southampton Crown Court, while his mother's sentencing is scheduled for 17 July.