Overview
- The Solicitor General, Ellie Reeves, formally referred Vickrum Digwa’s sentence to the Court of Appeal on Monday for review under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.
- Digwa was convicted of murdering 18‑year‑old Henry Nowak and was sentenced at Southampton Crown Court on June 1 to life with a 21‑year minimum term.
- Judge William Mousley set a 15‑year starting point raised to 23 years for aggravating factors then reduced to 21 for mitigating factors such as Digwa’s age and previous good character.
- Body‑worn police footage that appeared to show the mortally wounded Nowak being handcuffed after officers were told he had been the aggressor provoked protests and prompted self‑referral to the IOPC and an HMICFRS inspection.
- The case has also produced wider fallout: Digwa’s mother was convicted of assisting an offender, community groups dispute the weapon’s religious character, and the Court of Appeal review could increase the minimum term if judges find it unduly lenient.