Henry Nowak killer Vickrum Digwa appeals life sentence for murder

Vickrum Digwa, who was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Henry Nowak, has launched an appeal against his sentence. BBC News, ITVX, The Bury Times, and the Express and Star all reported on the legal challenge. Nowak's family described the appeal bid as ludicrous and voiced their anger over the proceedings. [1][2][3][4][6]

Henry Nowak was an 18-year-old university student who was murdered on 3 December 2025 in Southampton, Hampshire, England. Digwa, who was 23 years old at the time of the attack, stabbed Nowak five times with an eight-inch dagger that he claimed was carried for Sikh religious reasons. As FTMQ News reported earlier, police handcuffed Nowak as he lay dying after Digwa falsely accused him of racial abuse. [7][9]

The victim's family told ITV News that the government needs to rethink its early release policies after learning that Digwa's mother, Kiran Kaur, is due to be released from prison in December 2026. Lucy Ross told Paul Brand that Kaur is lucky to be able to visit her son, whereas she has to visit Henry's grave. Henry's father, Mark Nowak, called the situation an absolute disgrace, noting that Kaur will be out for Christmas while he will not have Christmas with his son. [1]

As FTMQ News reported earlier, Kaur was sentenced to three years in prison in July 2026 for removing the weapon used by her son in the murder. She is scheduled for early release under a government scheme designed to reduce prison overcrowding, while the Home Office is also considering her for deportation from the United Kingdom. [10]