A Sikh man has been found guilty of murdering an 18-year-old university student by stabbing him to death with a Sikh kirpan ceremonial knife bearing a 21cm blade.
Guilty Verdict
Vickrum Digwa, 23, was convicted at Southampton Crown Court of the murder of finance student Henry Nowak, from Chafford Hundred, Essex. The incident occurred on December 3, 2025, in Belmont Road, Southampton. Digwa was also found guilty of carrying a bladed weapon in public. His mother, Kiran Kaur, 53, was convicted of assisting an offender by removing the weapon from the scene.
Details of the Attack
Digwa stabbed Mr Nowak five times, including two wounds to the back of his legs and a fatal wound to his heart. The victim had filmed Digwa moments before the attack, with Digwa saying, “I am a bad man.”
In evidence, Digwa claimed Mr Nowak, who he said was drunk, had racially abused him, punched him, and knocked off his turban. He asserted he stabbed Mr Nowak in self-defence but did not realise he had inflicted the fatal chest wound.
Prosecution's Case
Prosecutor Nicholas Lobbenberg KC told the jury Digwa told a “wicked lie” to police, claiming he was the victim of a racist attack. He also lied by denying he had stabbed Mr Nowak, despite the victim’s pleas for help. Police mistakenly arrested and handcuffed Mr Nowak, who collapsed and died despite first aid.
Tech billionaire Elon Musk offered via X to fund a private prosecution against the police. The Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating the incident.
Lobbenberg described Digwa as having “a bedroom with an arsenal of weapons” and training with weapons since age 12. He said Digwa “chose” to carry two knives, one hidden and the large kirpan on display, noting that Sikhs are permitted to carry a small dagger discreetly for religious purposes.
Judge William Mousley KC adjourned sentencing for Digwa to June 1 and for Kaur to July 17.
