SOUTHAMPTON — Vickrum Digwa, 23, was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of 18-year-old Henry Nowak and must serve at least 20 years before being eligible for parole. Digwa fatally stabbed Nowak five times with a 21cm-long knife in Southampton.

Nowak was walking home alone and unarmed after a night out with his football team when he was attacked. When police arrived, Digwa falsely claimed that Nowak had racially abused him and knocked his turban off. Officers initially arrested and handcuffed Nowak before discovering his fatal injuries. Hampshire police have since apologised for their initial response, and the Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating the incident.

Judge Mousley KC said during sentencing: "I am sure Henry said nothing racist." The judge described Nowak as principled and full of promise and noted that as the two men approached each other, Nowak asked Digwa if he was a "bad man," possibly because he noticed the large dagger. Mousley added: "You have brought shame on your family, your community and your religion. Your actions have stirred up racial tension, which has made many Sikhs worried about their safety." The judge also clarified: "It is a fundamental principle of Sikhism that a kirpan is worn as a symbol of religious faith and is never to be carried for an offensive purpose."

Prosecutor Nicholas Lobbenberg KC described the killing as a "sustained attack on an unarmed man." He said Digwa recorded videos of Nowak running away and lying injured, including close-ups of his face, which was "intrusive and humiliating." Lobbenberg added: "He is a man with a weapon obsession." He noted that aggravating factors included Nowak dying alone, humiliated, and handcuffed.

The Sikh Federation stated: "We want to make absolutely clear the law only provides fully practising Sikhs with a defence under the law to wear a kirpan for religious reasons." The group added: "If a kirpan or a bladed item is used aggressively in an act of violence the defence under the law for a kirpan does not apply and it is deemed an offensive weapon."