Henry Nowak killer ‘applies to have sentence reduced or conviction quashed’ | UK | News
Vickrum Digwa, 23, who was found guilty of murdering teenager Henry Nowak, applied to the Court of Appeal to quash his conviction or reduce his sentence. Digwa was sentenced to at least 21 years in prison at Southampton Crown Court last month after killing the 18-year-old finance student in December. The couple were strangers.
Digwa alleged that Mr Nowak racially abused her, punched her and knocked off her hijab; These allegations were rejected by the trial judge as false. Mr. Nowak was arrested as he lay covered in his own blood and died alone and handcuffed in police custody. The release of heartbreaking body camera footage showing the dying student repeatedly telling officers “I can’t breathe” sparked widespread public outrage.
The Court of Appeal confirmed that Digwa had applied for permission to appeal both his conviction and sentence. A judge will first decide whether to grant him or her a full hearing before three judges in the Criminal Division.
The move comes despite Attorney-General Ellie Reeves KC referring the original 21-year minimum to the Court of Appeal under the Extremely Light Sentencing scheme. The court had already stated that the case was considered potentially overly lenient.
Express.co.uk has contacted the court for comment.
Mirror It said Digwa, who was carrying a 21cm-bladed Sikh ceremonial knife, was investigated by police on suspicion of the theft of ceremonial knives from a Southampton temple in 2023, but no further action was taken.
Judge William Mousley, who handed down the sentence, rejected the victim’s claim of racism. He said: “I’m sure Henry didn’t say anything racist. You’re the only person making that claim and it’s completely contradictory to his previous character.”
Mr. Nowak’s family described him as a “kind and talented” young man.
Ellie Reeves KC described the case as “appalling” and said the British public shared that view. In his referral he added: “It is true that difficult questions need to be answered about the police’s handling of the murder of Henry Nowak… No sentence can undo the devastation suffered by Henry’s family or fill the void left by his loss. But I hope this referral will go some way towards providing them with the justice they deserve.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has previously said he was “sickened” watching footage of Mr Nowak being handcuffed while being fatally injured and that there were “serious questions” that needed to be answered.
There is further controversy surrounding Digwa’s brother Gurpreet, who called 999 and claimed he had been “racistly attacked by a white person”. He watched as the police handcuffed the dying Henry.
Hampshire Police decided not to refer him to the Crown Prosecution Service over the charges, but an online petition has since called for him to be re-investigated.
The developments have intensified scrutiny into both the actual sentence and the police response to the murder of the University of Southampton student.
The Court of Appeal’s decision on whether Digwa’s appeal will be allowed is awaited.
