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Murder Appeal for Essex Teenager Who Died Following Stabbing Incident
The appeal of Vickrum Digwa against his sentence for the murder of Henry Nowak is set to be heard before Christmas. Digwa was sentenced to a minimum of 21 years in prison for fatally stabbing 18-year-old Henry, who was originally from Chafford Hundred, on December 3, 2025, while attending Southampton University.
The case gained significant attention when Attorney General Ellie Reeves referred Digwa’s sentence to the Court of Appeal, deeming it “unduly lenient” in June. Court officials confirmed that Digwa’s appeal against his sentence would be heard alongside the Attorney General’s efforts to have his jail term extended on November 5.
Digwa is also seeking to challenge his conviction, which is being handled separately; however, no decision has been made yet regarding the approval of that appeal.
Henry Nowak’s tragic death sparked protests and unrest, particularly following the release of police body-worn video that showed officers restraining him moments before he collapsed. It was reported that Digwa initially misled police after the stabbing, falsely claiming he was a victim of a racist attack.
In response to the incident and subsequent public concern, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services announced an inspection of Hampshire Police, initiated by Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones. This inspection aims to assess the entire process from call handling to the police’s initial response to incidents of serious violence.
Additionally, the Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating two officers for potential gross misconduct related to their actions during the incident involving Mr. Nowak, focusing on the possible influence of race or religion in their decision-making.
