The killer who stabbed Southampton student Henry Nowak to death had previously been reported to police over the alleged theft of ceremonial Sikh training weapons, the Express understands
Vickrum Digwa, 23, was jailed for life with a minimum term of 21 years this week after being convicted of murdering the 18-year-old University of Southampton student in December 2025.
Fresh questions are now being asked after details reportedly emerged of a police investigation involving Digwa two years before the fatal attack.
What was Digwa accused of before the murder?
According to Hampshire Police, officers received a report on 25 August 2023 concerning an alleged theft at the Sikh gurdwara on Burgess Road in Southampton.
The force said martial arts lesson equipment, including blunt weapons, was reported missing from the temple between 23 July and 21 August that year.
Police confirmed two men in their 20s were arrested on suspicion of theft during the investigation.
However, after reviewing the available evidence, both were released with no further action taken.
A source at the gurdwara told the Daily Mail that Digwa and his brother had been acting as teachers of Gatka, a Sikh martial arts discipline involving weapons demonstrations.
The source alleged ceremonial Shastar blades worth around £1,000 had been taken from the temple and claimed concerns had previously been raised about Digwa’s behaviour.
“We didn’t think he was a good representative of the Sikh community,” the source said.
The source further claimed they were not surprised when Digwa was later arrested for murder, adding: “I wasn’t shocked because I knew how bad he was.”
The allegations were never tested in court and no charges were brought in relation to the reported theft.
How did Henry Nowak die?
Digwa was convicted of murdering Henry after a confrontation in Southampton city centre on 3 December 2025.
The court heard the teenager suffered five stab wounds, including a fatal injury to the heart.
During sentencing, Judge William Mousley KC told Digwa he had “brought shame upon your family and your religion”.
The judge also rejected Digwa’s claim that Henry had directed racist abuse at him before the attack.
He further told the defendant that carrying a ceremonial knife in public was a “privilege” carrying a “huge responsibility” and noted that Sikh teachings made clear such blades should never be carried for offensive purposes.
Why has the police response come under scrutiny?
The case has generated national attention because of the actions of officers who arrived at the scene after the stabbing, including a large protest outside Southampton Central Police Station on Tuesday. There members of the crowd shouted “Take the knee” at police and “We can’t breath” leading to clashes and arrests.
Bodycam footage released following the conclusion of criminal proceedings showed Henry repeatedly attempting to tell officers he had been stabbed.
According to the footage, he told officers “I’ve been stabbed” four times.
One officer responded: “I don’t think you have mate.”
Digwa had claimed he had been assaulted, subjected to racist abuse and had his turban knocked off during the confrontation.
Officers initially treated Henry as a suspect and handcuffed him while he was suffering catastrophic internal injuries, despite him telling officers he could not breath nine times.
The teenager later became unresponsive before emergency treatment was administered.
Hampshire Police has apologised to the Nowak family and the Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating the actions of officers involved.
The Express reached out to Hampshire Police for comment via email.
What has Henry Nowak’s father said?
Following Digwa’s sentencing, Henry’s father Mark Nowak delivered a scathing criticism of the police response.
“Henry did not die with dignity,” he said.
“He did not die with the care he deserved. He lost consciousness before anyone believed him.”
Mr Nowak added: “Henry should not have died on the streets of Southampton in police custody. The way he was treated was inhumane and degrading.”
Contrasting the treatment of his son and Digwa, he said: “His murderer, however, was afforded decency – he was believed.”
Mr Nowak also told reporters that, to the family’s understanding, Digwa was never handcuffed and had been allowed privileges while in custody.
“That contrast is unbearable,” he said.
The grieving father called for a “full, fearless and transparent” investigation into what happened and said: “Our family should not have to fight for the truth.”
He also argued that the case demonstrated the need for “common sense” to be applied to Britain’s knife laws.
“People should not be able to walk openly through the streets of Britain carrying a 21cm blade,” he said.
What have Digwa’s family said about Henry Nowak’s murder?
In a statement released after sentencing, Digwa’s family apologised to Henry’s relatives and the wider Sikh community.
“The loss of a young life is a grief that no family should ever have to carry,” the statement said.
“We are deeply sorry for the pain and suffering the Nowak family has had to endure.”
The family added: “We love Vickrum. We will continue to love him. That love does not stand in opposition to the sorrow we feel for the Nowak family.”
They also apologised to the Sikh community, saying their son’s actions had unfairly brought the faith into disrepute.
The statement concluded with an appeal for the tragedy not to be used to inflame hostility between communities.
What have police said about Henry Nowak’s death in custody?
The Hampshire Police Federation said officers involved in the incident were subject to “rigorous independent scrutiny” and urged the public to allow investigations to run their course.
A spokesperson also condemned calls for “mob or vigilante justice” directed at officers and raised concerns about personal details of police personnel being shared online.
Meanwhile, Hampshire Police confirmed that two men had been arrested during the 2023 theft investigation but that neither was charged following a review of the evidence.
The force said officers had “followed up all available lines of enquiry” before the case was closed.