A university student died after being repeatedly stabbed with a Sikh ceremonial sword, a court has heard. Henry Nowak, an 18-year-old finance student, was on his way home from a night out in Southampton when he was attacked by Vickrum Digwa, 23, who wielded an eight-inch 'Shastar' blade.
Details of the Attack
The incident occurred on December 3, 2023, after Mr Nowak had spent the evening with friends from his football team. He left around 11pm, having consumed less than the legal alcohol limit for driving. As he walked home, he encountered Digwa, who was openly carrying a large knife in a sheath over his clothing.
Prosecutor Nicholas Lobbenberg KC told Southampton Crown Court that Mr Nowak's phone captured the moment he met Digwa. In the video, Mr Nowak can be heard asking Digwa to say he is a 'bad man', to which Digwa replied, 'I am a bad man.' Shortly after, the footage ends.
Mr Nowak was stabbed multiple times. In an attempt to escape, he climbed onto a bin and over a fence, but he had already been fatally wounded. A trail of blood was left on the street. Digwa pursued him aggressively, the court heard.
Aftermath and Arrest
Police arrived at the scene, but initially arrested Mr Nowak after Digwa falsely claimed he had been racially abused. Mr Nowak was handcuffed before collapsing and dying on the street. Paramedics and a doctor arrived by helicopter, but he was pronounced dead at 12:37 am.
Digwa's mother, Kiran Kaur, 53, is accused of assisting an offender. Prosecutors say she went to the scene after the stabbing and took the knife back to the family home, where it was hidden among an 'arsenal of weapons.' Both Digwa and Kaur deny the charges.
Religious Exemption and Weapon
In the UK, Sikhs are legally permitted to carry a Kirpan knife for religious reasons. However, the court heard that Digwa was already wearing a small Kirpan around his neck, which fulfilled his religious obligations. The 'Shastar' blade he used in the attack was much larger, measuring around 21cm.
Analysis of the knife revealed blood and fatty tissue matching Mr Nowak, along with hairs from Digwa and DNA from Kaur on the sheath.
Family Campaign
Following Henry's death, his family has campaigned to raise awareness about knife crime, stating: 'We just want people to know how much damage carrying a knife can cause. This has caused such huge repercussions on so many people's lives.'
The trial continues.
