Severe Increase in Minimum Term for Convicted Murderer
Vickrum Digwa, who was convicted of fatally stabbing Henry Nowak, has had the minimum duration of his life sentence extended by four years, raising it to a total of 25 years. This adjustment follows a referral of the case by Attorney General Ellie Reeves KC to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.
The court was presented with details of the tragic incident that occurred on the evening of 3 December 2025. On that night, 23-year-old Digwa, from St Denys in Southampton, was found to be carrying a large Sikh dagger concealed in a sheath over his clothing. He crossed paths with 18-year-old Henry Nowak, a first-year student at Southampton University, who was making his way home.
Unbeknownst to each other prior to this encounter, a brief interaction escalated dramatically when Digwa stabbed Nowak in the chest, as well as multiple times in the legs and abdomen. Following the assault, Digwa recorded the victim as he attempted to flee and continued filming as Nowak lay dying on the ground. Additionally, it was revealed that he had instructed his mother to dispose of the murder weapon and had repeatedly provided false accounts to the police regarding the events that transpired.
Impact of the Crime on Victim’s Family
In a Victim Impact Statement, Nowak’s father articulated the profound sorrow and devastation that the family has endured due to the untimely loss of Henry. The emotional toll of losing a son at such a young age has left an indelible mark on the family, underscoring the far-reaching consequences of this violent act.
Attorney General Ellie Reeves KC expressed her deep concern regarding the brutality of the case, stating, “The brutality and cruelty of this case horrified me, and I know that feeling is shared by the British public.” She welcomed the Court of Appeal’s decision to extend Digwa’s minimum term, acknowledging that while no sentence can ever truly compensate for the loss of a loved one, this outcome serves to bring some measure of justice to the grieving family.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing Details
Digwa was initially sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years on 1 June 2026 at Southampton Crown Court, following his conviction for murder and possession of a bladed article. However, after the Attorney General’s intervention, the Court of Appeal reviewed the case, resulting in the increase of his minimum sentence to 25 years on 5 November 2026.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the tragic consequences of violence and the importance of ensuring that justice is served for victims and their families.