Vickrum Digwa, the man jailed for life for stabbing 18-year-old Henry Nowak to death in Southampton, is seeking to appeal both his conviction and sentence — a move that comes as the police watchdog investigates two officers over their treatment of the dying teenager.
Digwa, 23, was handed a minimum term of 21 years in prison last month after the December killing. But the case was referred to the Court of Appeal by solicitor general Ellie Reeves, who branded the sentence ‘unduly lenient’. Now, the court has confirmed that Digwa himself is challenging his conviction, with a date set for an appeal hearing.
“Vickrum Digwa, jailed for murdering Henry Nowak, appeals conviction and sentence as police officers face misconduct probe.”
The case sparked protests after bodycam footage showed Henry handcuffed and struggling to breathe as he lay on the ground, fatally wounded. Digwa had pretended to police that he was the victim of a racially aggravated attack, leading to Henry’s arrest instead of receiving first aid.
Henry’s father, Mark, said the difference in treatment between his son and the killer was ‘unbearable’. In a statement after sentencing, he contrasted the ‘decency’ shown to Digwa with the ‘inhumane and degrading’ treatment of Henry. ‘Henry was pulled across the gravel, his hands forced behind his back, and he was placed in handcuffs,’ Mark said. ‘Instead of being treated as a dying victim, police formally arrested Henry for assault and read him his rights. That was the last thing he heard.’
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the case had raised ‘serious questions’. The Independent Office for Police Conduct confirmed on Wednesday that it is investigating two officers for potential gross misconduct. The inquiry includes potential failures to recognise that Henry needed urgent medical attention, to act when he said he had been stabbed and could not breathe, and the decision to arrest and handcuff him rather than provide first aid.
One of the officers also faces investigation for potentially breaching conduct standards by dismissing the teenager’s claim that he had been stabbed. The watchdog is determining whether race or religion played a part in the officers’ decision-making.
Meanwhile, Digwa has reportedly requested to be segregated at HMP Frankland in Durham over security concerns. According to The Sun, he is ‘terrified’ of being killed like child-killer Ian Huntley, who died after an attack with a metal bar at the same prison in February. A source said: ‘He was told he was going on to A-wing, and he knew it was where Huntley was killed — and said, “No”.’