Man Who Stabbed Teen To Death Over Bogus Racism Claim Learns His Fate

A Sikh man who stabbed an innocent teen to death in the United Kingdom over a bogus racism claim was convicted on Monday and sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 21 years.

Vickrum Digwa killed 18-year-old Henry Nowak on December 3, 2025, as Nowak was walking back to his dorm in Southampton — a city about 80 miles southwest of London. Nowak was handcuffed by authorities as he lay dying on the ground over a bogus racism claim made by his murderer.

While Britain has strict laws on carrying knives in public, Digwa was permitted to carry his “ceremonial blade” because of his Sikh heritage.

When police first arrived on scene that December night, Digwa told authorities Nowak racially abused him and Digwa acted in self-defense. Incredibly, authorities arrested the bloodied, dying teen as he was bleeding on the ground even though Nowak reportedly told them he had been stabbed and couldn’t breathe.

Nowak was told he was under arrest for assault just before he died.

???????? Bodycam footage has been released showing Henry Nowak begging for an ambulance before being handcuffed behind his back.

Nowak: “I’ve been stabbed”

Officer: “I don’t think you have mate”

Follow: @europa pic.twitter.com/WqYV760Y14

— Europa.com (@europa) June 1, 2026

According to sentencing remarks from Judge William Mousley, Digwa falsely told authorities that the teen had called him a “Paki.” While Nowak was dying, Digwa and his brother reiterated lies against Nowak and directed their mother to take the murder weapon, sheath, and belt away — and she obeyed.

Judge Mousley said Nowak was handcuffed on the ground “before his condition further deteriorated and the arresting officer began CPR.”

Outside the courthouse, Nowak’s father, Mark Nowak, recalled his son’s devastating murder and the inhumane treatment he received by authorities.

“Henry had been stabbed multiple times, and as his chest filled with blood, he tried to escape,” Mark Nowak said. “He was chased, abused, and filmed by Vickrum Digwa and others.”

“When police arrived, Henry was lying on the floor, barely able to sit up and plainly in severe medical distress. With his final words, he told officers that he could not breathe. He told them he had been stabbed,” he said. “In fact, Henry told officers that he could not breathe nine times. He told them he had been stabbed four times. The response from one officer was, ‘I don’t think you have, mate.'”

“The police have said they were misled by the murderer and that the scene when they arrived was complex,” Mark Nowak continued. “Unfortunately, it seems to us the truth is much simpler. The police were told by our son himself and by a member of the public who called 999 that they heard someone shout that they had been stabbed. But the police did not believe them.”

“Henry was pulled across the gravel, his hands forced behind his back, and he was placed in handcuffs,” he 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.”

“Henry did not die with dignity. He did not die with the care he deserved. He lost consciousness before anyone believed him,” Mark Nowak added. “Henry should not have died on the streets of Southampton in police custody. The way he was treated was inhumane and degrading. His murderer, however, was afforded decency.”

Digwa, he said, “was believed; he was not handcuffed when arrested, he was not handcuffed when transported to the police station — as far as we understand, he was never handcuffed at all. … Police even took him to the kitchen so he could choose his food.”

“The contrast is unbearable,” Mark Nowak added.

What a brave Dad.

He deserves justice from the police officers who disgracefully failed his son.

Our institutions – and politicians – didn’t care about his death because he was white.

Henry Nowak’s case must be a turning point. pic.twitter.com/ghfVsheGa7

— Robert Jenrick (@RobertJenrick) June 1, 2026

Mark Nowak is calling for a “full, fearless and transparent” investigation into the police handling of his son’s murder.