Henry Nowak's family is bracing themselves for further distress as Vickrum Digwa, convicted of the teenager's murder, appeals against both his conviction and sentence. The Court of Appeal has confirmed that Digwa has lodged a challenge to his life sentence with a minimum term of 21 years, which was handed down in June following a trial at Southampton Crown Court.
The Solicitor General, Ellie Reeves, has separately referred the length of Digwa's sentence to the Court of Appeal, arguing it is 'unduly lenient' and should be increased. No dates have been set for either Digwa's appeal or the Solicitor General's bid to extend the sentence, which adds another layer of uncertainty to a case that has already sparked widespread public concern.
The circumstances surrounding Henry Nowak's death in December last year have raised significant questions about police conduct and response. Following the stabbing, Digwa initially told police he was the victim of a racist attack, while body-worn camera footage later revealed officers failing to administer first aid as Henry lay dying, despite his pleas for help. The footage sparked protests in Southampton on 2nd June, during which 12 police officers and a police dog were injured, and 17 individuals have since been jailed for their involvement.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is currently investigating two officers over potential gross misconduct, examining whether they failed to recognise Henry's urgent medical needs or breached conduct standards. One officer is also under investigation for allegedly dismissing the teenager's claim of being stabbed and potentially breaching conduct standards. The IOPC is also exploring whether race or religion influenced the officers' decisions.
During Digwa's sentencing, his father, Mark Nowak, spoke of the 'unbearable' disparity in how his son was treated compared to the killer. Digwa received a separate sentence for carrying a knife in public, while his mother, Kiran Kaur, 53, was found guilty of assisting an offender and is scheduled for sentencing on 17th July.