Killer of Henry Nowak seeking to appeal against conviction and sentence

Henry Nowak’s killer is seeking to appeal his life sentence, the Court of Appeal has confirmed.

Vickrum Digwa, 23, was handed a minimum term of 21 years in prison last month after he stabbed Mr Nowak, 18, to death in Southampton in December.

His sentence was referred to the Court of Appeal by solicitor general Ellie Reeves, who branded it ‘unduly lenient’.

However, the court has now disclosed that Digwa is looking to challenge his conviction, although a date has been set for an appeal hearing.

Digwa pretended to the police that he had been the victim of a racially aggravated attack, leading to Mr Nowak being arrested rather than receiving first aid.

The case sparked protests after footage showed Mr Nowak being placed in handcuffs as he was fighting for his life and struggling to breathe.

Mr Nowak’s father, Mark, said the difference between the way the killer and his son were treated was ‘unbearable’.

In a statement read outside court following Digwa’s sentencing, Mark contrasted the ‘decency’ officers showed Digwa with the ‘inhumane and degrading’ treatment of his son.

He said: ‘Henry was pulled across the gravel, his hands forced behind his back, and he was placed in handcuffs.

‘Instead of being treated as a dying victim, police formally arrested Henry for assault and read him his rights. That was the last thing he heard.’

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the case had raised ‘serious questions’.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct confirmed on Wednesday that it is investigating two officers for potential gross misconduct.

This includes an inquiry into potential failures to realise that Mr Nowak needed urgent medical attention and to take action 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 of the officers also faces an investigation for potentially breaching conduct standards by dismissing the teenager’s claim that he had been stabbed.

The watchdog is also determining whether race or religion played a part in the officers’ decision-making.

Meanwhile, Digwa has reportedly requested to be segregated at HMP Frankland in Durham due to concerns over his security.

The Sun reported he is ‘terrified’ of being killed like child-killer Ian Huntley and only leaves his cell for his daily exercise.

A source said: ‘He was told he was going on to A-wing, and he knew it was where Huntley was killed — and said, “No”.’

Huntley, 52, died after being attacked by a metal bar at HMP Frankland in February.

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