Man guilty of murdering student with ceremonial knife

Key Points:

• Vickrum Digwa, 23, has been found guilty of murdering 18-year-old university student Henry Nowak in Southampton, using a 21cm ceremonial Sikh knife; the court rejected Digwa's claim of self-defense involving a racist insult and physical attack by Nowak.
• Digwa was also convicted of carrying a knife in public, and his mother, Kiran Kaur, was found guilty of assisting an offender; sentencing is scheduled for Digwa on Monday and for his mother on 17 July.
• Police initially handcuffed and arrested the victim, Nowak, due to misleading information from Digwa's brother during a 999 call, leading Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary to refer itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
• The Sikh Federation UK emphasized that the large blade used was not a typical Kirpan and highlighted the community's commitment to understanding and lawful use of religious weapons; legal protections for carrying such items are limited when used in violent acts.
• Nowak's family and the University of Southampton paid tribute to the student, expressing sorrow over his death and pride in his achievements, while calling for remembrance of his life and legacy.