Henry Nowak's killer 'applies to have murder conviction quashed AND his sentence reduced'

Published: 01:50, 3 July 2026 | Updated: 01:50, 3 July 2026 Henry Nowak's killer has reportedly launched a bid to have his murder conviction quashed and his sentence reduced. Vickrum Digwa, 23, was jailed for life last month with a minimum 21-year-term after he stabbed Mr Nowak, 18, to death in December with a ceremonial dagger. Digwa did not know his teenage victim but 'lied' to officers at the scene by claiming Mr Nowak shouted racist abuse, punched him and knocked off his turban. Mr Nowak was then arrested as he lay covered in his own blood, before dying 'alone, humiliated and handcuffed' in police custody. Digwa has now made an application to the Court of Appeal in the hopes of reducing his jail term, The Mirror reports. It comes despite solicitor general Ellie Reeves KC applying for his jail term to be reconsidered under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme. The Court of Appeal confirmed Digwa's case had previously been referred to them as 'unduly lenient'. An official added: 'This person has also recently lodged an application for leave to appeal conviction and sentence.' Vickrum Digwa was given a life sentence with a minimum of 21 years in prison for the murder Henry was a finance student at the University of Southampton and was described as 'kind and talented' by his family An appeal court judge is now set to decide whether Digwa should be given the opportunity to appeal - if he is, the case will be heard by three judges sitting at the Court of Appeal Criminal Division.  Digwa was given a life sentence for stabbing Mr Nowak with a ceremonial knife with a 21cm blade, that he claimed he carried as part of his Sikh religion. He had previously been investigated by police in 2023 on suspicion of stealing ceremonial blades from a Sikh temple in Southampton but no further action was taken. Passing sentence at Southampton Crown Court last month, Judge William Mousley pushed back on accusations of racism against Digwa, saying of Mr Nowak: 'I am sure that Henry said nothing racist. 'You are the only person to make that claim and it is completely at odds with his previous character.' Widespread outrage followed the release of police bodycam footage of the Southampton University student being arrested. The footage showed Mr Nowak handcuffed as he lay dying. Mr Nowak could be heard repeatedly telling officers 'I can't breathe,' before his death. Murderer Vickrum Digwa is seen telling police the teenager ripped off his turban in a racist attack. This was later described as a 'wicked lie' Gurpreet Digwa called 999 and told police: We've just been attacked racially by some white person' after his brother had stabbed Henry Nowak six times with a Sikh ceremonial sword Ellie Reeves KC previously described the case as 'horrifying' - adding she knew that sentiment was 'shared by the British public'. Speaking on her application to the Court of Appeal, she said: 'It is right that difficult questions need to be answered about the way the police handled Henry Nowak's murder, while my role is to review Digwa's sentence for his crimes. 'After careful consideration, I have taken the decision to refer this case to the Court of Appeal. 'No sentence can ever undo the devastation that Henry's family have suffered, or fill the void left by his loss. But I hope this referral goes some way towards bringing them the justice they deserve.' Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer previously said he 'felt sick' watching footage of police handcuffing Mr Nowak as he lay dying, and that there are 'serious questions' to answer about the case. Last month, there was outrage over the decision not to charge Digwa's brother - Gurpreet - after he accused Mr Nowak of racism and being the aggressor. Evidence at the trial of Vickrum Digwa also suggested his brother may have committed perjury, assisted an offender and obstructed police. Gurpreet Digwa watched as police handcuffed fatally injured Henry. He had told officers 'we've been racially attacked by a white person' before they wrongly arrested Henry as he lay dying. Last month the Daily Mail revealed Hampshire Police did not ask the Crown Prosecution Service to consider any case against Gurpreet over Henry's murder.  An online petition has called for him to be reinvestigated. No comments have so far been submitted. 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