Henry Nowak's killer, brother and father deny having 37 swords and flick-knives in court

The man who stabbed 18-year-old Henry Nowak to death, along with his brother and father, has pleaded not guilty to possessing an arsenal of 37 swords, flick-knives, an axe and eight knuckledusters. Vickrum Digwa, 23, appeared by videolink from HMP Frankland at Southampton Magistrates’ Court, where he denied seven counts of possessing an offensive weapon in a private place at the family home in St Denys Road, Southampton. The alleged weapons include three machetes, 37 swords, three ninja swords, two flick-knives or gravity knives, eight knuckledusters, an extendable baton and a manriki-gusari – a traditional Japanese handheld weapon made of a weighted metal chain. His father, Moga Singh, 52, and brother, Gurpreet Digwa, 27, both of Southampton, appeared in person and pleaded not guilty to the same charges. Gurpreet also faced four additional charges, including possessing an extendable baton, a kirpan and an axe in a car in Belmont Road, and an air weapon in the same location – all of which he denied. The court heard all three defendants face an additional amended count of possessing three push daggers, but District Judge Henry Gordon requested clarification on whether the offence was charged within the six-month time limit, so pleas were not entered on that count. All of the offences are dated 4 December 2025 – the day after Mr Nowak was killed. Harmail Gill, defending the three family members, told the court some of the swords were “antiques” and that some of the weapons were used for “religious martial arts”. Judge Gordon set a trial date for 27 September 2027, with a case management hearing on 4 June 2027. Vickrum Digwa was jailed for life with a minimum of 21 years in June for stabbing Mr Nowak in Southampton on 3 December last year. After the killing he lied to police, claiming he was the victim of a racist attack. The case sparked protests after police body‑worn footage was released showing officers handcuffing Mr Nowak as he lay dying, failing to give him first aid despite him saying he could not breathe. The sentence was referred to the Court of Appeal as “unduly lenient” by the Solicitor General, Ellie Reeves, last month, and Digwa is now seeking to appeal against his conviction and sentence. The Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating two officers for potential gross misconduct, including failures to realise Mr Nowak needed urgent medical attention and the decision to arrest and handcuff him.