Kiran Kaur, the mother of murderer Vickrum Digwa, has been jailed for three years for removing the knife used to stab student Henry Nowak. The 53-year-old took the weapon from the scene of the killing in Southampton back to her family home, where it was later recovered by police.
Digwa, 23, was sentenced to life with a minimum of 20 years for stabbing 18-year-old Nowak five times on 3 December 2025. When police arrived, Digwa falsely claimed Nowak had racially abused him and knocked off his turban, leading officers to arrest and handcuff the dying student before noticing his fatal injuries.
Sentencing Kaur at Southampton Crown Court, William Mousley KC said a responsible parent would have challenged their son, but instead she helped conceal the weapon. Prosecutor Nicholas Lobbenberg KC said her actions hampered police and contributed to Henry dying terrified and disbelieved.
The judge noted that Kaur’s actions added to Digwa’s pretence that he was the victim. The knife was determined to be the murder weapon about a week after the killing, following CCTV examination. Kaur, who had no previous convictions, dabbed her eyes during mitigation.
The false racism claims sparked riots in Southampton, with at least 25 rioters charged. Hampshire Police apologised, and the arrest is under investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct. Kelly Newman of the CPS said those who help murderers evade justice will be held accountable.
