The family of the individual who murdered Henry Nowak has expressed profound regret for the anguish and distress caused by Vickrum Digwa and has extended an apology. They have also acknowledged the negative impact on the Sikh community following the sentencing of Digwa to life imprisonment, with a minimum of 21 years, for fatally stabbing 18-year-old Henry with a ceremonial knife integral to his religious beliefs. Amid this, Digwa’s mother, Kiran Kaur, awaits sentencing for aiding an offender by transporting the murder weapon back to their residence near Southampton.
A statement, facilitated by Sikh PA, a charity representing the Sikh community in the media, was released by unnamed relatives of Digwa. They conveyed heartfelt sorrow for the suffering endured by the Nowak family, emphasizing their love for Digwa while expressing genuine empathy towards the Nowak family’s ordeal.
Acknowledging the irreversible tragedy, the family expressed a desire to prevent further anguish and apologized to the Sikh community for the actions of their son that have negatively impacted the community’s reputation. They urged against exploiting the tragedy to incite division or animosity towards any group, appealing for privacy as they navigate the challenges ahead.
In a recent court case at Southampton Crown Court, Digwa was convicted of murdering Henry, a finance student from Essex, who was fatally stabbed in Southampton on December 3, 2025, using a 21cm blade. The prosecution revealed details of the brutal attack, recounting how Digwa fatally wounded Henry after an altercation, despite Digwa’s claims of self-defense. The judge noted Digwa’s possession of both a ceremonial kirpan and the larger murder weapon, emphasizing the strict Sikh tradition regarding the visible display of such items.
Following the sentencing, Henry’s family emphasized the importance of a balanced approach to law enforcement, cautioning against unrestricted public possession of lethal weapons. They highlighted the discrepancy between the law’s blade length limit and the weapon used in the attack, stressing the need for accountability and adherence to legal regulations.
In a poignant statement, Henry’s family underscored that the case was fundamentally about murder, not about Sikhism or racial motivations, emphasizing the gravity of the loss and seeking justice for their loved one.