Henry Nowak killer Vickrum Digwa was known to police before murder | UK | News
According to the information obtained by Express, the murderer who stabbed Southampton student Henry Nowak to death was previously reported to the police for allegedly stealing training weapons belonging to Sikh ceremonies.
Vickrum Digwa, 23, was this week sentenced to at least 21 years in prison after being found guilty of murdering an 18-year-old University of Southampton student in December 2025.
New questions are now being asked after details of a police investigation involving Digwa two years before the deadly attack emerged.
What was Digwa accused of before the murder?
According to Hampshire Police, officers received a report of an alleged theft at the Sikh gurdwara on Burgess Road in Southampton on August 25, 2023.
The force said martial arts class equipment, including blunt weapons, was reported missing from the temple between July 23 and August 21 of that year.
Police confirmed during the investigation that two men in their 20s were arrested on suspicion of theft.
However, after reviewing the available evidence, both were released without further action.
A source at the Gurdwara told the Daily Mail that Digwa and his brother served as teachers of Gatka, a Sikh martial arts discipline that involves weapons displays.
The source claimed ceremonial Shastar blades worth around £1,000 were taken from the temple and claimed concerns had previously been raised about Digwa’s behaviour.
“We didn’t think he was a good representative of the Sikh community,” the source said.
The source also said they were not surprised when Digwa was later arrested for murder, adding: “I wasn’t shocked because I knew how bad he was.”
The allegations were never examined in court and no charges were brought in connection with the reported theft.
How did Henry Nowak die?
Digwa was convicted of murdering Henry following a confrontation in Southampton city center on December 3, 2025.
The court heard the teenager suffered five stab wounds, including fatal heart injuries.
During sentencing, Judge William Mousley KC told Digwa he had “brought shame to your family and your religion”.
The judge also rejected Digwa’s claim that Henry had racially abused her before the attack.
He also told the defendant that carrying a ceremonial knife in public was a “privilege” that carried a “great responsibility” and noted that Sikh teachings clearly stated that such knives should never be carried for offensive purposes.
Why has the police response come under scrutiny?
The case attracted national attention for the actions of police officers who arrived at the scene following the stabbing, including a large protest outside Southampton Central Police Station on Tuesday. The crowd shouted “Kneel down” and “We can’t breathe” to the police, leading to clashes and arrests.
Body camera footage released after the conclusion of the criminal case showed Henry repeatedly trying to tell officers that he had been stabbed.
According to the footage, he told the police “I was stabbed” 4 times.
An officer replied: “I don’t think you have a partner.”
Digwa claimed that he was attacked, subjected to racist abuse and that his turban was torn off during the conflict.
Officers initially treated Henry as a suspect and handcuffed him while he suffered serious internal injuries, despite pleading nine times that he couldn’t breathe.
The teen then became unresponsive before receiving emergency treatment.
Hampshire Police apologized to the Nowak family and the Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating the actions of the officers involved.
The Express has reached out to Hampshire Police for comment via email.
What did Henry Nowak’s father say?
Following Digwa’s sentencing, Henry’s father, Mark Nowak, issued a harsh criticism of the police response.
“Henry did not die with dignity,” he said.
“He didn’t die with the attention he deserved. He lost consciousness before anyone believed him.”
Mr Nowak added: “Henry should not have died in police custody on the streets of Southampton. His treatment was inhumane and degrading.”
Comparing the treatment of her son and Digwa, she said: “But his killer was shown kindness and was believed.”
Mr. Nowak also told reporters that, from the family’s understanding, Digwa was never handcuffed and was allowed privileges while in custody.
“The contrast is unbearable,” he said.
The grieving father called for a “full, fearless and transparent” investigation into what happened and said: “Our family should not have to fight for the truth.”
He also argued that the case demonstrated the need to apply “common sense” to Britain’s knife laws.
“People should not be able to openly walk down the streets of Britain carrying a 21cm knife,” he said.
What did Digwa’s family say about Henry Nowak’s murder?
Digwa’s family apologized to Henry’s relatives and the Sikh community in a statement following the sentencing.
“The loss of a young life is a pain no family should bear,” the statement said.
“We are deeply sorry for the pain and suffering the Nowak family has had to endure.”
The family added: “We love Vickrum. We will continue to love him. This love does not conflict with the pain we feel for the Nowak family.”
They also apologized to the Sikh community, saying their son’s actions had unfairly brought the faith into disrepute.
The statement ended with a call to not use the tragedy to fuel hostility between communities.
What did the police say about the in-custody death of Henry Nowak?
The Hampshire Police Federation said the officers involved were subject to “rigorous independent review” and urged the public to allow investigations to proceed as normal.
A spokesman also condemned calls for “mob or vigilante justice” against officers and expressed concerns about police personnel’s personal information being shared online.
Meanwhile, Hampshire Police confirmed that two men were arrested during the 2023 burglary investigation but neither were charged following review of the evidence.
The force said officers “pursued all available investigative channels” before the case was closed.
