Mother of Henry Nowak's killer set for early prison release

Kiran Kaur, the mother of Vickrum Digwa, who was convicted of murdering 18-year-old Henry Nowak, is expected to be released from prison early. Kaur was sentenced to three years in prison for removing the murder weapon from the scene and taking it to the family home. According to ITV News, she will serve less than half of her sentence under the government’s early-release scheme.

The Murder and Sentencing

Henry Nowak, a Southampton University student, was killed on 3 December 2025 while walking home from a night out. His killer, Vickrum Digwa, 23, was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 21 years. Digwa had claimed he was the victim of a racist attack, but a jury rejected this defense.

Kaur was convicted for her role in the aftermath of the killing. Judge William Mousley KC stated during sentencing that "A responsible parent would have challenged their son over their actions and encourage them to do the right thing." The judge noted that Kaur "took the knife home" and placed it in her son's bedroom, actions that "added to your son’s pretence that he had done nothing wrong and that he was the victim."

Prosecutor Nicholas Lobbenberg KC described Kaur's role as "crucial," stating that her removal of the weapon hampered police efforts. He said, "The absence of weapon at the scene caused by her actions hampered the police attending who were, as your Honour will recall, confronted with a wall of lies." Lobbenberg added that "Absence of that weapon led to Henry dying terrified, alone and disbelieved, her actions contributed to this."

Early Release and Appeals

Kaur is eligible for release under a government scheme introduced to address overcrowding in prisons across England and Wales. The policy came into force on October 1, following a delay for review. Approximately 5,000 prisoners are scheduled for release in stages over the next year, a reduction from the initial plan of 6,000 after ministers exempted rapists and the most serious child sex offenders.

Despite her eligibility for early release, Kaur is appealing her sentence at the Court of Appeal on 5 November. On the same day, Digwa will challenge his sentence as too severe, while the Attorney General argues it is too lenient. Digwa is also separately seeking permission to appeal his conviction.

Deportation Considerations

ITV News reports that Kaur, an Indian national, may be eligible for deportation. However, no decision has yet been made regarding whether she will be removed from the UK after serving her minimum term.

Why it matters

The early release of Kaur highlights the ongoing controversy surrounding the government’s early-release scheme, which has faced criticism from victims' families. The case also underscores the legal complexities involving accomplices in serious crimes, as Kaur’s actions significantly impacted the initial police investigation and the victim's treatment at the scene.

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Sources

• lbc.co.uk: Accomplice in Henry Nowak murder to be released from prison early | LBC
• express.co.uk: Mum of Henry Nowak's killer 'to be released from prison early' | UK | News | Express.co.uk

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