Killer Vickrum Digwa appeals sentence for Henry Nowak murder

Vickrum Digwa, jailed for life for the murder of 18-year-old Henry Nowak, is appealing his sentence at the Court of Appeal. The Attorney General is also seeking to have the minimum term increased, arguing it was unduly lenient.

Digwa was sentenced in June to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years for the murder, which took place in Southampton on December 3 last year. Mr Nowak suffered multiple stab wounds. Digwa is contending that his sentence was "manifestly excessive", according to written submissions.

Aggravating factors cited in appeal

Jonathan Polnay KC, representing the Attorney General, told the court that the sentence failed to adequately reflect significant aggravating factors. These included Digwa's "sustained attempts to pervert the course of justice", his false allegation of racism against Mr Nowak, and his mother's assistance in concealing evidence. Mr Polnay also highlighted Digwa filming the dying victim and misleading emergency responders.

The submissions noted that Digwa "repeatedly deployed" a knife against an "unarmed and defenceless stranger". The court heard that Digwa, a Sikh, was carrying a kirpan, a religious item permitted for Sikhs to carry, and a larger dagger due to his membership in the Nihang order. Mr Polnay stated the appeal was not about the lawful possession of the kirpan but about its subsequent use.

Digwa, 23, watched the proceedings remotely from HMP Frankland. Members of Mr Nowak's family attended the hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice. They expressed to ITV that Digwa's ability to challenge his sentence "doesn’t feel fair to us at all".

The case is being heard by Lady Chief Justice Baroness Carr, Mr Justice Nicklin, and Mr Justice Wall. Imran Khan KC is representing Digwa and will make submissions for the sentence reduction. The hearing is scheduled to conclude on Thursday.