Court of Appeal increases Vickrum Digwa's minimum prison term to 25 years

The Court of Appeal has increased the minimum term of Vickrum Digwa's life sentence from 21 years to 25 years. The ruling, delivered on Thursday, follows a referral by Attorney General Ellie Reeves, who called the original sentence "unduly lenient."

The Court of Appeal Ruling

Three senior judges, including Lady Chief Justice Baroness Carr, ruled that the original sentence "did not adequately reflect the overall seriousness of the murder." The judges stated the original term "fell outside the range reasonably open" to the sentencing judge.

Baroness Carr noted that the original assessment "materially understated two distinct dimensions of the offending":

• "The circumstances in which a large and immediately available dagger was used repeatedly with an intention to kill an unarmed man."
• "The deliberate cruelty, additional suffering and obstruction which followed the stabbing."

Baroness Carr also stated that Digwa filming the aftermath of the attack represented "incomprehensible cruelty" that caused the victim "additional distress and degradation."

Legal Arguments

During the hearing, Jonathan Polnay KC, representing the Attorney General, argued that Digwa "abused the privilege" of being allowed to carry blades in public for religious reasons. He stated that Digwa "repeatedly deployed" the knife against an "unarmed and defenceless stranger" and noted that Digwa "zoomed in on Henry's face whilst verbally gloating" while filming the aftermath.

Imran Khan KC, representing Digwa, argued that the sentence should be reduced to a "materially lower minimum term." He contended that the original sentence already accounted for aggravating factors and stated that carrying a knife for religious reasons "should not of itself" result in longer sentences for Sikh offenders.

Background of the Case

Vickrum Digwa, 23, was sentenced at Southampton Crown Court in June for the murder of 18-year-old Henry Nowak, a student at the University of Southampton. The stabbing occurred on December 3, 2025.

According to court records, Digwa was carrying two knives: a small kirpan, which is a religious requirement for Sikhs, and a "large dagger in a sheath" associated with the Nihang order of Sikhs. Following the attack, Digwa lied to emergency services, claiming Mr. Nowak had racially abused him.

Why it matters

The case drew significant public attention following the release of police body-worn footage showing officers handcuffing Mr. Nowak as he lay dying, despite him stating he could not breathe. The family of Mr. Nowak expressed that they have been "failed multiple times" by the police response to the death.

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Sources

• v2radio.co.uk: Henry Nowak's killer Vickrum Digwa has life sentence increased after bid to cut it fails - V2 Radio
• belfasttelegraph.co.uk: Henry Nowak’s killer Vickrum Digwa has prison term increased at Court of Appeal | Belfast Telegraph
• eastrennews.co.uk: Henry Nowak’s killer Vickrum Digwa has prison term increased at Court of Appeal | East Renfrewshire News
• mirror.co.uk: Henry Nowak killer Vickrum Digwa has sentence increased after claiming it was 'excessive' - The Mirror
• expressandstar.com: Henry Nowak’s killer Vickrum Digwa has prison term increased at Court of Appeal
• standard.co.uk: Henry Nowak’s killer Vickrum Digwa has prison term increased at Court of Appeal | The Standard

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.