Sikh murder suspect ‘stabbed student Henry Nowak after he was called p*** and had turban pulled off’ – Image for illustrative purposes only (Image credits: Pexels)
Southampton Crown Court is examining a self-defense claim in the death of 18-year-old university student Henry Nowak. Vickrum Digwa, 23, stands accused of murder and carrying a knife in public after a confrontation on a December night that left the student with multiple stab wounds. The proceedings have drawn attention to the circumstances surrounding the use of a ceremonial Sikh blade known as a kirpan.
The Confrontation Unfolds
Digwa told the court he was walking near his home when he encountered Nowak, who appeared unsteady and had been celebrating with his football teammates. The two exchanged words after Digwa stepped onto the road, with Nowak reportedly criticizing his position and then directing abusive language at him. According to the defendant, the exchange quickly escalated when Nowak accused people of his background of acting without restraint and referenced his own origins in Essex.
The situation intensified further when Nowak pulled out his phone, which Digwa interpreted as an attempt to record the encounter. He described feeling heightened concern because of recent documented attacks on Sikhs that had been filmed by perpetrators. Digwa said he reached to block the phone, leading to a physical struggle that included punches and the removal of his turban.
Defendant’s Account of the Struggle
Digwa explained that he felt threatened when Nowak grabbed his hair and pulled him forward while issuing threats of violence. He stated that he believed his own kirpan could be turned against him in the moment. The defendant described drawing the 21-centimeter blade from its sheath and using it on Nowak’s legs, though he maintained he was unaware at the time of any injury to the chest.
His brother arrived shortly afterward, prompting the call to emergency services. Digwa said he asked his mother to hold the kirpan while he gathered religious items that had fallen during the altercation. He later learned of Nowak’s death while in police custody and expressed remorse, noting that he had never faced a situation of this kind before.
Prosecution Details and Family Involvement
Prosecutors have outlined that Nowak suffered five stab wounds in total, including two to the back of the legs and the fatal chest injury. The court heard that Digwa’s mother, Kiran Kaur, took the kirpan back to the family home, where it was later recovered. She faces a separate charge of assisting an offender, which she denies.
Digwa acknowledged during questioning that he did not immediately inform police of his role in the stabbing. He attributed this to fear and the rapid sequence of events that left him disoriented. The trial continues with further evidence expected on both sides.
Context of Recent Incidents
The defense has referenced a pattern of attacks on Sikhs in preceding months, many of which involved video recordings by those carrying them out. This backdrop, Digwa said, shaped his reaction when the phone appeared during the argument. The case has placed renewed focus on how such encounters can escalate when cultural and religious symbols become targets.
Nowak’s family provided a photograph of the student for court use, underscoring the personal loss at the center of the proceedings. As the trial moves forward, the court will weigh the competing accounts of how a night out ended in tragedy.
