The prison sentence handed to 23-year-old Vickrum Digwa for the murder of Henry Nowak is set to be reviewed by the Court of Appeal after being referred under the government’s Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.
Digwa was sentenced to life imprisonment at Southampton Crown Court on 1 June, with a minimum term of 21 years before he can be considered for parole. The sentence was imposed by Judge William Mousley KC.
The referral was made by Solicitor General Ellie Reeves KC MP, who said she hopes the move will provide some measure of justice for Henry Nowak’s family.
Henry, an 18-year-old student, was fatally stabbed multiple times in the street with a 21cm knife. During the trial, Digwa claimed he was carrying the weapon because of his Sikh faith.
The case sparked widespread public outrage, particularly after details emerged about the police response on the day of the attack. Following the stabbing on 3 December, officers initially arrested and handcuffed Henry before realising that he had suffered life-threatening injuries.
Digwa falsely told police at the scene that Henry had attacked him and subjected him to racial abuse. However, body-worn camera footage later showed Henry repeatedly telling officers that he had been stabbed and was struggling to breathe.
The release of the footage after Digwa’s sentencing triggered violent protests in Southampton on 2 June.
In a statement, Ellie Reeves described the case as deeply disturbing.
“This case horrified me, and I know that feeling is shared by the British public,” she said. “No sentence can ever undo the devastation suffered by Henry’s family or fill the void left by his loss. However, I hope this referral goes some way towards delivering the justice they deserve.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who previously described the incident as an “awful, shocking case”, met members of Henry’s family at Downing Street on 4 June. After the meeting, he said he was “profoundly humbled” and stressed that Henry deserved “a legacy that goes beyond this awful tragedy.”
The unrest that followed the release of the footage has resulted in 23 people being charged, with 13 already receiving prison sentences.
Meanwhile, the Sikh Federation has urged the government to launch a public inquiry into issues surrounding the case. The organisation has expressed concerns about the carrying of bladed weapons and the hostility directed towards members of the Sikh community since the murder.
The handling of the case by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary is also under scrutiny. The force is currently being investigated by the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
An inquest into Henry Nowak’s death is scheduled to take place in Winchester in September 2027.
