Convicted murderer Vickrum Digwa is seeking to appeal against his conviction and sentence, the Court of Appeal has confirmed. Digwa fatally stabbed 18-year-old Henry Nowak in December 2025 and was sentenced to a minimum of 21 years in prison in June. The sentence was referred to the Court of Appeal as "unduly lenient" by Solicitor General Ellie Reeves last month.
Appeal Details and No Hearing Date Set
The Court of Appeal has confirmed that Digwa is now seeking to appeal against both his conviction and sentence. No date for the hearing of the appeal or the bid to increase the sentence has been set, and no details have been provided about the grounds of Digwa's challenge.
Background of the Case
After stabbing Henry, Digwa lied to police, claiming he was the victim of a racist attack. The case sparked protests after released police body-worn footage showed Henry being handcuffed despite telling officers he could not breathe. When Digwa was sentenced at Southampton Crown Court, Henry’s father, Mark Nowak, said the difference in treatment between the killer and his son was "unbearable." The following day, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer stated there were "serious questions" to answer about the case.
Police Conduct Investigation
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) announced on Wednesday that it is investigating two officers for potential gross misconduct. This includes potential failures to recognize 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 instead of providing first aid. One officer is also under investigation for potentially breaching conduct standards by dismissing the teenager’s claim that he had been stabbed. The IOPC is also examining whether race or religion played a role in the officers’ decision-making.
