A 32-year-old man has admitted to racially abusing a solicitor who represented Vickrum Digwa in his trial for the murder of Henry Nowak. Ryan Eastman-Baddams, of Bellevue Road, Southampton, entered his plea at Southampton Magistrates' Court on June 2, 2026, for the charge against Harmail Gill.
Background of the case
Mr Gill served as Digwa's solicitor during the trial that resulted in the 23-year-old being sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years. He also represented Digwa alongside his father, Moga Singh, 52, and brother, Gurpreet Digwa, 27, when they appeared at Southampton Magistrates' Court on June 2 for multiple weapons offences.
Court proceedings
During a brief hearing at Southampton Magistrates' Court on Monday, prosecutor Cristiane Finlay informed the court that the lawyer was targeted by the defendant at court. The case presented an "unusual set of circumstances," she added. Eastman-Baddams confessed to his actions prior to his police interview and "apologises without reservation," his defence solicitor Ryan Seneviratne stated.
District Judge Henry Gordon did not view the case as being linked to the protests surrounding the Henry Nowak murder. The judge referred him to Southampton Crown Court to be sentenced for racially aggravated harassment, alarm, or distress on July 7.
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