Killer guilty of murdering Chafford Hundred student in Southampton stabbing

Vikram Digwa, 23, fatally stabbed Henry Nowak, 18, using a Sikh ceremonial knife

Henry Nowak, 18, was fatally atabbed by Vikram, 23, using a Sikh ceremonial knife
Author: Cameron GreenPublished 28th May 2026

A man has been found guilty of murdering an 18-year-old finance student from Chafford Hundred, Essex, using a Sikh ceremonial knife in Southampton.

Henry Nowak was stabbed to death by Vickrum Digwa on Belmont Road, Southampton, on 3rd December 2025.

The attack involved a Sikh kirpan with a 21cm blade and led to Nowak's death after being stabbed five times.

Digwa, 23, was recorded saying to his victim, "I am a bad man," before inflicting two wounds on Nowak's legs and a fatal wound to his heart.

He was convicted of murder and carrying a bladed weapon in public while his mother, Kiran Kaur, 53, was found guilty of assisting an offender by removing the weapon from the scene.

During the trial, Digwa alleged self-defence, claiming Nowak had racially abused him and knocked off his turban, escalating the confrontation.

He argued that he did not realise he had delivered the fatal stab.

Prosecutors accused Digwa of lying to police, including denying that he stabbed Nowak.

Officers mistakenly detained Nowak, who was restrained before collapsing and losing consciousness.

Police efforts to administer first aid were unsuccessful, and he died.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct is looking into the incident's details.

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