The Newshound

Nowak killer wins right to appeal his 21-year sentence as Attorney General also pushes to increase it

From the Newshound archive · first published 29 September 2026 · last updated 30 September 2026.

Vickrum Digwa, who stabbed Henry Nowak five times with a 21cm dagger in Southampton in December 2025, has been granted permission to appeal his 21-year minimum term at the Court of Appeal on 5 November.
Vickrum Digwa, who stabbed Henry Nowak five times with a 21cm dagger in Southampton in December 2025, has been granted permission to appeal his 21-year minimum term at the Court of Appeal on 5 November.
Henry Nowak, the 18-year-old university student whose killer has separately attracted both an appeal against his 21-year minimum term and an Attorney General referral arguing it is too lenient.
Henry Nowak, the 18-year-old university student whose killer has separately attracted both an appeal against his 21-year minimum term and an Attorney General referral arguing it is too lenient.

Vickrum Digwa, who stabbed 18-year-old Henry Nowak to death in Southampton in December 2025, has been granted permission to appeal his 21-year minimum sentence at the Court of Appeal on November 5. Digwa, 23, argues the term is excessive — while Attorney General Ellie Reeves has separately referred the case on the grounds it is too lenient, meaning judges at the same hearing could either raise or reduce the tariff. Digwa's separate bid to overturn his murder conviction entirely remains undecided, with no ruling yet on whether that challenge will be heard.

Digwa stabbed Nowak five times with a 21cm blade, then told police that Nowak had subjected him to a racist attack — a false claim a jury rejected in May.

After body-worn footage showed officers handcuffing the dying teenager rather than providing first aid, protests broke out in Southampton, leaving twelve officers injured and resulting in more than 30 violent disorder charges.

Hampshire Police face an ongoing inspection ordered by Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones, covering the force's entire response to the night of the murder.

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