Sikh man guilty of murder of 18-year-old student with ceremonial knife
A Sikh man has been found guilty of the murder of an 18-year-old university student by stabbing him to death with a Sikh kirpan ceremonial knife with a 21cm blade.
Vickrum Digwa told police a “wicked lie” that he was the victim of a racist attack after he stabbed finance student Henry Nowak, from Chaffod Hundred, Essex, five times in the incident in Belmont Road, Southampton, on December 3 2025.
He was filmed by his victim telling him “I am a bad man” moments before the knife attack, which included two stab wounds to the back of Mr Nowak’s legs and a fatal wound to his heart.
The 23-year-old was also convicted of carrying a bladed weapon in public and his mother, Kiran Kaur, 53, was found guilty of assisting an offender by removing the weapon from the scene.
Giving evidence, the defendant told the court that Mr Nowak, who he described as drunk, had racially abused him before punching him and knocking his turban off.
He said he had stabbed Mr Nowak to the back of his legs in self-defence after Mr Nowak had threatened him and grabbed him by the hair, but said he had not realised at the time he had caused the fatal stab wound to his chest.
But the prosecution said Digwa had told a “wicked lie” to police who attended the scene by telling them he had been the victim of a racist attack.
He also “lied” by telling officers that he had not stabbed Mr Nowak despite the student’s pleas for help as he told the police that he was injured.
This led the officers to arrest Mr Nowak and putting him in handcuffs moments before he collapsed and became unconscious before dying despite their efforts to give him first aid.
Tech billionaire Elon Musk posted on X an offer to fund a private prosecution against the police and the Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating the circumstances of the incident.
Following the case, temporary Deputy Chief Constable Robert France, of Hampshire Constabulary, apologised on behalf of the officers, but said they were “lied to” and would have been unaware of Mr Nowak’s injury which he said would not have been obvious.
He said: “This is an absolutely tragic case, and my sympathies are absolutely with Henry’s family, his friends, and his loved ones.
“I want to apologise, I want to say that I am sorry that Henry couldn’t be saved that night. I’m sorry that he was handcuffed and arrested in the moments before he lost consciousness.”
Nicholas Lobbenberg KC, prosecuting, told the jury that Digwa, who had been training with weapons since the age of 12, had described the murder weapon in “loving terms” and that he “sleeps in a bedroom with an arsenal of weapons”.
He also said that although Sikhs are permitted in law to carry a kirpan knife, the discrete carrying of a small dagger under clothing was sufficient for the requirements of the religion.
He said the defendant “chose” to carry two knives, one under his clothing while the large knife which was used in the killing was on display.
He added: “This is a man who likes weapons. He thinks a knife is a suitable wedding present for his brother.”
The Sikh Federation UK said the death was an “isolated incident” and it was raising awareness of the rules around the carrying of a kirpan.
It said: “The wider Sikh community has unacceptably faced considerable abuse and hate during the trial as many do not understand the law, the significance of the kirpan or the responsibility associated with wearing a kirpan.
“The actions of police officers who handcuffed the victim just before he died has not helped and given an opportunity for many to criticise the police, but it has also unnecessarily stirred up community hatred.
“Now the trial is over we want to make absolutely clear the law only provides fully practising Sikhs with a defence under the law to wear a kirpan for religious reasons.”
Kate Lewis, senior district crown prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “This was a senseless and entirely avoidable act of violence.
“Today’s verdict cannot undo the devastation caused to Henry’s family and friends. A young life has been lost, and our thoughts remain firmly with them.”
Paying tribute to Mr Nowak, his family said in a statement released after his death said that the accountancy and finance student had been “fully embracing university life” and had been out with his football team-mates on the night of his death.
Describing him as “our kind, intelligent and talented son”, they added: “Henry was loved by all those that knew him.
“Our hearts ache when we think of the bright future he had ahead of him, full of opportunity and adventures.
“There are no words to describe just how heartbroken we are that we will never get to see him grow and fulfil his awesome potential.
“We are so proud of him and all he achieved.
“Our world will never be the same without our amazing Henry.”
Judge William Mousley KC adjourned the case for Digwa to be sentenced on June 1 and Kaur on July 17.
Published: by Radio NewsHub