The murder of 18-year-old Southampton student Henry Nowak by Sikh man Vickrum Singh Digwa sparked national outrage after police body camera footage showed the Southampton student being handcuffed shortly after being stabbed. The incident sparked protests across the UK and drew reactions from high-profile figures ranging from Prime Minister Keir Starmer to billionaire Elon Musk.On December 3, 2025, Nowak, a first-year student at the University of Southampton, was stabbed by 23-year-old Vickrum Singh Digwa as he walked home after a night out with friends.Shortly after the attack, Digwa allegedly claimed he was racially profiled and assaulted. When police arrived, they handcuffed Nowak despite his repeated pleas that he had been stabbed and couldn’t breathe.The release of police body-camera footage, Digwa’s subsequent murder conviction and nationwide protests have made the case a national flashpoint over issues of policing, race and public trust.
Timeline of events in the Henry Novak case
December 3, 2025
- Henry Nowak, 18, met Vickrum Singh Digwa on his way home from Southampton.
- Digwa stabbed Nowak five times after the confrontation.
- Digvar claimed racial discrimination; police initially handcuffed Nowak.
- Body camera footage captured Novak saying, “I’ve been stabbed” and “I can’t breathe.”
- Police later realized he had suffered catastrophic stab wounds and began CPR.
- Novak died shortly after midnight.
December 4, 2025
- Police searched the Digwa family’s home.
- Police seized a number of assault weapons, including swords, machetes, switchblade knives and knuckledusters.
- Investigators said Digwa’s mother, Kiran Kaur, took and concealed the murder weapon.
December 8, 2025
- Hampshire Police have charged Vikrum Digwa with murder and possession of a bladed article.
Early 2026
- More than 650 mourners attended Nowak’s funeral at Brentwood Cathedral in January.
- Prosecutors accused Digueva of fabricating accusations of racial abuse to paint himself as the victim.
- Investigators have accused Kieran Kaul of helping remove and conceal the murder weapon.
- A secretly recorded conversation allegedly captured Digueva discussing the stabbing and agreeing to self-defense.
May 2026
- Digwa’s murder trial begins at Southampton Crown Court.
May 28, 2026
- The jury found Digueva guilty of murder.
- He was also convicted of carrying a bladed weapon in public.
- Kiran Kaur was convicted of assisting an offender.
- Jurors dismissed Digueva’s claims of racial abuse and self-defense.
June 1, 2026
- Digueva was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years.
- The judge said Nowak was unarmed and defenseless.
- Hampshire police have apologized for handcuffing the teenager following the stabbing.
June 2, 2026
- Digwa appeared in court on a separate weapons charge.
- His father Moga Singh and brother Gurpreet Digwa also face weapons-related charges.
June 2026
- Body camera footage from the night of the murder has been released.
- The video sparked widespread outrage across the UK.
- A ‘Justice for Henry Novak’ rally is held in Southampton.
- Demonstrators demanded accountability for the police response.
- Riots broke out during some protests, resulting in injuries to police officers.
After the verdict
- The Attorney General’s Office received a request to review Digueva’s sentence under the Excessive Leniency Sentencing Program.
- Prime Minister Keir Starmer met Novak’s family and described the case as “horrible” and “shocking”.
How did the protests unfold?
Public outrage intensified after details of the case and body camera footage came to light. In the video, the teen can be seen lying on the ground as officers handcuff him and try to get him to sit up. He told police multiple times that he had been stabbed and had trouble breathing.“You were stabbed? Where?” an officer is heard asking. Another replied: “Don’t think you have, man.”Hundreds of people gathered at a “Justice for Henry Nowak” rally in Southampton to call for accountability and increased scrutiny of the police response.The case quickly entered the political arena. Nigel Farage and Rupert Lowe have repeatedly raised concerns about the handling of the incident, while Prime Minister Keir Starmer met Novak’s family and promised lessons would be learned.Tech billionaire Elon Musk also commented on the case on social media, helping to draw international attention to the controversy.As protests intensify, the Nowak family urges supporters to seek justice through legal means and not let Henry’s death become a source of division.
