Henry Nowak killer’s appeal against sentence to be heard in November
Digwa was ordered to serve at least 21 years behind bars in June after fatally stabbing 18-year-old Henry Nowak
Vickrum Digwa’s appeal against his sentence for the murder of Henry Nowak will be heard in November, court officials have confirmed.
Digwa was ordered to serve at least 21 years behind bars in June after fatally stabbing 18-year-old Mr Nowak in Southampton on December 3 last year.
Attorney General Ellie Reeves referred the sentence to the Court of Appeal as “unduly lenient” in June, but Digwa is also seeking to challenge his conviction and sentence.
On Tuesday, court officials confirmed that a judge had given Digwa the green light to appeal against his sentence, which will be heard alongside the Attorney General’s bid to increase his jail term on November 5.
Digwa’s bid to overturn his conviction is being dealt with separately, with a decision yet to be made on whether to allow that challenge to go ahead.
Mr Nowak’s murder sparked protests and violence after police body-worn video was released showing officers handcuffing the teenager, from Chafford Hundred, Essex, moments before he collapsed and became unconscious.
Digwa had lied to police after the stabbing, claiming that he was the victim of a racist attack.
Last month, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services said it had begun an inspection of Hampshire Police, following a request by Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones.
The commissioner said the inspection would cover the “end-to-end process” from call-handling in the control room, dispatch and initial attendance at incidents of serious violence.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct previously launched an investigation in July into two officers for potential gross misconduct over their interactions with Mr Nowak on the night he was stabbed.
The watchdog is also examining whether race or religion played a part in the officers’ decision-making.