Man who murdered Southampton student Henry Nowak set to appeal in court today
Vickrum Digwa was jailed for life in June this year
The man who murdered Southampton student, Henry Nowak, is set to appear in court today to bid to reduce his life sentence, as well as hear the Attorney General's bid to increase it.
Vickrum Digwa was jailed in June for at least 21 years after fatally stabbing Mr Nowak in Southampton on December 3rd last year with a ceremonial knife which had a 21cm blade.
Unrest started following the case when footage was released from police body-worn cameras showing officers handcuffing Mr Nowak, Chafford Hundred, Essex, as he lay dying after Digwa falsely told officers that the teenager had racially abused him.
Digwa, 23, is now appealing against the length of his sentence as “manifestly excessive”.
The Attorney General, Ellie Reeves, referred the sentence to the Court of Appeal as "unduly lenient".
Three senior judges are set to hear both bids to change the sentence today.
The hearing before the Lady Chief Justice Baroness Carr, Mr Justice Nicklin and Mr Justice Wall is due to begin at 10am at the Royal Courts of Justice in London.
An independent review is also taking place after last month, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced former Lord Chancellor, Alex Chalk would examine Mr Nowak's murder, including "any missed opportunities to intervene".
It's not the only investigation, as several have been announced into Hampshire Police's handling of the case since Digwa's sentencing.
After a request was made by Police and Crime Commissioner, Donna Jones, His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services opened an investigation in August.
This will cover the "end-to-end process" from call handling in the control room, dispatch and initial attendance at incidents of serious violence, according to the PCC.
Two officers are also being investigated for potential gross misconduct over their interactions with Mr Nowak on the night he was stabbed, and this was launched by the Independent Office for Police Conduct back in July.
The watchdog is also examining whether race or religion contributed to the officers’ decision-making.
Digwa is also separately seeking to overturn his conviction, but a decision has yet to be made on whether to allow that challenge to go ahead.
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