Mother and son in court over murder of “kind” student stabbed to death after night out

Henry Nowak, 18, from Chafford Hundred, Essex, was walking along Belmont Road, Southampton, when it was reported he became involved in an altercation with two men not known to him around 11.30pm on Wednesday 3 December, as reported.

Officers attended and the teenager was located having suffered a stab wound to his chest and two to the back of his leg. He was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

Officers charged Vickrum Digwa, of St Denys Road, Southampton, with murder. The 22-year-old man, who is British and of Asian ethnicity, has also been charged with possession of a bladed article in a public place.

Officers also charged his mother Kiran Kaur, 52, of St Denys Road, Southampton, who is Indian and of Asian ethnicity, with assisting an offender. Both appeared at Southampton Magistrates’ Court on Monday (8 December) before today appearing at Southampton Crown Court.

No pleas were entered with the defendants told to return to the court on March 13 for a pre-trial hearing. A two-week trial has been listed for May 12. Both are remanded in custody.

A 51-year-old man, previously arrested on suspicion of murder, has been released on police bail pending further enquiries.

A 26-year-old man, who had been arrested on suspicion of murder, was released with no further action in relation to that offence. He was additionally arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender and a public order offence, and has been released on police bail pending further enquiries.

Henry’s family said in a tribute: “Our kind, intelligent, and talented son was in his first year at Southampton University studying Accountancy and Finance. He’d smashed his A-levels and was fully embracing university life, joining not one but two football teams, making new friends as well as working part-time at the local Morrisons.

“Henry was loved by all those that knew him. He was an incredible son, brother, cousin, grandson, nephew, friend and teammate. He was an all-round top lad and everyone who was lucky enough to share his company thought the same.

“He went on a night out with his new football team mates, celebrating the end of their first semester at uni. Devastatingly, he never made it home.

“Our hearts ache when we think of the bright future he had ahead of him, full of opportunity and adventures. There are no words to describe just how heartbroken we are that we will never get to see him grow and fulfil his awesome potential. We are so proud of him and all he achieved. Our world will never be the same without our amazing Henry.”

If you have any information, or in particular any CCTV or other footage from the Portswood and St Denys area between 10pm and 2am contact police on 101 quoting the reference 44250545892, or you can submit information by going to our website.

You can also report any information 100 per cent anonymously by calling independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, or by going to their website.