Henry Nowak’s killer Vickrum Digwa has been granted permission to appeal against his sentence for murder, which carries a minimum term of 21 years as the he argues it is too stringent
The killer of Henry Nowak has been granted leave to challenge his prison sentence in a shocking development.
Vickrum Digwa’s appeal will be considered at the Court of Appeal on November 5, ITV News reports, following his sentencing in June to a minimum term of 21 years behind bars for murder. Digwa is contesting his sentence on the basis that it is excessively harsh and is seeking leave to challenge his conviction.
The Attorney General is also appealing the sentence, contending that it is insufficiently severe, leaving the Court of Appeal to determine whether to raise, lower, or maintain it unchanged. Following the stabbing of Mr Nowak, Digwa falsely told police that he had been the victim of a racist assault.
The incident triggered demonstrations after police body-worn camera footage emerged showing officers neglecting to provide Mr Nowak with first aid and instead restraining him with handcuffs as he lay dying, despite his pleas that he couldn’t breathe.
During Digwa’s sentencing at Southampton Crown Court, Mr Nowak’s father, Mark Nowak, described the contrast between how the murderer and his son were handled as “unbearable”, reports the Express.
A day afterwards, Sir Keir Starmer stated that there were “serious questions” requiring answers regarding the incident.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct is examining two officers for possible gross misconduct, including potential failures to recognise that Mr Nowak required immediate medical assistance, to act when he reported being stabbed and unable to breathe, and the choice to arrest and restrain him rather than delivering first aid.
One of the officers is also being scrutinised for possibly violating conduct standards by disregarding the teenager’s assertion that he had been stabbed.
The watchdog is additionally examining whether race or religion influenced the officers’ decision-making process.
Vickrum Digwa, 23, has been jailed for life. Digwa, who is linked to the Nihang Sikh warrior order, claimed he carried the blade as part of his faith, a characterisation that was strongly rejected by mainstream Sikh leaders, who condemned the killing and distanced the wider community from his actions.
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