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Sikh Man Convicted of Murdering 18-Year-Old Student With Dagger After False Racism Claim
An 18-year-old University of Southampton student was fatally stabbed in December 2025. The attacker was sentenced to life in prison with a 21-year minimum term on June 1, 2026.
Jun 3, 5:00 AM·3m read1 source
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Henry Nowak, an 18-year-old first-year student at the University of Southampton, was fatally stabbed on a residential street in Southampton, England, in December 2025. Vickrum Digwa, 23, used an 8-inch sheathed Sikh dagger to kill Nowak and also carried a small kirpan.
Digwa was convicted of murder in Southampton Crown Court and sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years on June 1, 2026.
Judge William Mousley ruled that Digwa lied about being the victim of a racist attack by Nowak. “You are the only person to make that claim and it is completely at odds with his previous character,” the judge told Digwa. Mousley said Digwa’s actions stirred up racial tension in Southampton and across the country and made many Sikhs worried about their own safety.
Bodycam video showed Nowak lying on his back telling arriving officers he had been stabbed while they handcuffed him. Nowak repeatedly said he could not breathe. An officer responded, “You’ve been stabbed?
Whereabouts? ” After handcuffing Nowak, officers laid him on his side and searched for stab wounds. When they discovered the injuries, they uncuffed him and began CPR, according to the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary.
Digwa had reported to police that he was the victim of a racist attack and claimed Nowak knocked off his turban and pulled his hair. Officers initially appeared to accept the account. Police later apologized to Nowak’s family and stated that the lies told by Digwa had misled officers.
Mark Nowak, the victim’s father, spoke to reporters outside Southampton Crown Court on June 1, 2026. He said the case was not about racism or religion and that he wanted his son’s death to lead to safer streets rather than further division, hatred or tension.
