Man found guilty of murdering university student, 18, after stabbing him with Sikh ceremonial knife

He was also found guilty of carrying a knife in public.

Mr Nowak was killed on December 3 last year, as he was walking home from a night out in Southampton.

He was stabbed 5 times, including a fatal wound to the chest, by a 21cm Sikh blade.

Digwa’s mother, Kirun Kaur, also received a guilty verdict for assisting a defendant by removing the weapon from the scene.

Police have apologised for the treatment of Mr Nowak, including handcuffing the teenager just moments before he died.

Giving evidence, the defendant told the court that Mr Nowak, who he described as "weaving and stumbling" from being drunk, had racially abused him before punching him and knocking his turban off.

The court heard evidence from a pathologist who said the student was under the legal limit to drive and that there was "no evidence that Henry was punching people with his hands."

A key piece of evidence shown in court was a snapchat video taken by Mr Nowak moments before the incident, in which he filmed Digwa and said “Go on, say you are a badman.”

In the video, Digwa responds "I am a bad man" and approaches Mr Nowak and grabs his phone and holding it throughout the incident.

Throughout the trial, Digwa argued he acted "in self defence” claiming Mr Nowak had said: "I’m going to kill you."

Digwa was carrying a "Kirpan", a religious knife carried by initiated Sikhs as a mandatory article of faith.

The 23-year-old told the court that he used the weapon as a final resort, adding : "I thought he was going to use my own Kirpan against me."

The jury heard that Digwa had an “interest in antique sikh weapons” and had been using them since he was 10-years-old.

Nicholas Lobbenberg KC, prosecuting, told the jury that Digwa, who had been training with weapons since the age of 12, had described the murder weapon in "loving terms" and that he "sleeps in a bedroom with an arsenal of weapons".

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He also said that although Sikhs are permitted in law to carry a kirpan knife, the discrete carrying of a small dagger under clothing was sufficient for the requirements of the religion.

He said the defendant “chose” to carry two knives, one under his clothing while the large knife which was used in the killing was on display.

He added: “This is a man who likes weapons. He thinks a knife is a suitable wedding present for his brother.”

First, in the face, groin, and a fatal blow to the chest, and then again on the back of his legs as he tried to escape.

Another video, taken by Digwa, was shown in court where Mr Nowak climbs over a fence in an attempt to get away from his killer.

A witness heard one voice say “you’re not going to get away with this big man” and another scared voice calling out, "I’ve been stabbed."

Mr Nowak called out several times, saying "I have been stabbed” and "I can’t breathe."

Transcripts from the night were read out by the prosecution, in which Mr Nowak is heard saying "I am dying" and Digwa replies "You’re not dying bro."

About 10 minutes later, Mr Nowak told Digwa "You stabbed me" to which he replied, "No I didn’t" and "you were recording me thinking you’re sick."

Digwa told the court during the trial: "I was petrified at the time as he pulled out his phone to record his attack on me."

Digwa’s brother attended the scene and called the police, claiming "we just got attacked racially by some white person."

The killer’s father and mother also arrived at the scene on Belmont Road.

Transcripts included translations of a Punjabi conversation in which Digwa could be heard saying, "Mum, mum" and "Take it away."

Kaur’s defence said she was distressed, uninformed, and placed the Kirpan among religious objects at home.

When officers arrived at the scene, they handcuffed Mr Nowak after Digwa repeatedly lied to the police, claiming his victim was "pretending."

He later admitted: "I did not mention the full truth and that I had stabbed him."

Judge William Mousley KC adjourned the case to sentence Digwa on June 1 and Kaur on July 17.

Temp Deputy Chief Constable, Hampshire and IoW Police said: "I’m sorry that Henry’s life couldn’t be saved that night, and I’m sorry that he was handcuffed and arrested in the moments before he lost consciousness.

He added: "When his killer made that call to the police, and he called the police, not the ambulance service, he lied on that call. He lied when police attended the scene. He continued to lie as Henry’s condition deteriorated.”

"As Henry's condition deteriorated, it is clear, and it is absolutely tragic that it took them three minutes before they started to administer first aid. It is important, though, to say that the pathologist has been clear there is nothing officers could have done which would have saved Henry's life."

Police referred themselves to the Independent Office of Police Conduct immediately after this incident and the investigation is ongoing.

Tech billionaire Elon Musk offered to fund a private prosecution against the police, posting on X: "Unconscionable. I am happy to fund a wrongful death lawsuit against these disgusting excuses for law enforcement. They damn well better have been fired."

An IOPC spokesman said: “Our thoughts and sympathies are with Henry Nowak’s family and everyone affected by his death.

"We are independently investigating the contact Hampshire and Isle of Wight officers had with Mr Nowak prior to his death on December 4, including the use of handcuffs by officers and the first aid provided.

"Our investigation, which began following a mandatory referral from the force that we received the same day, remains ongoing and the officers involved are currently being treated as witnesses.”

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