Summary

  1. 'A kind and hard-working young man'published at 18:11 BST

    Henry Nowak in a white shirt and tieImage source, Handout

    The judge described Henry as a "much-loved, kind, hard-working and ambitious young man" in his sentencing remarks.

    He told his killer: “You, Vickrum Digwa, murdered him, by doing so you robbed him of all those he loved, all the things he cared about and liked to do.

    “He would have been expected to live a long and hopefully happy and fulfilling life.

    "You have brought misery and a lifetime of loss upon his family, and great sadness to everyone who knew him.”

    This brings our live coverage to an end. You can continue to read more here.

  2. Watch: Dad says 'Henry did not die with the care he deserved'published at 17:49 BST

    Media caption,

    Speaking outside court, Henry Nowak's father says he "did not die with dignity"

  3. Digwa 'was previously barred from temple'published at 17:45 BST

    The Sikh community has told the BBC that Digwa had previously been "barred" from a Southampton gurdwara [Sikh temple] because of worries about his behaviour and actions.

    This happened "long before" he murdered Henry Nowak, community leaders said.

    Previously, Sikh leaders posted on Facebook: "This incident as reported does not align with the Sikh faith, the Sikh community, or the principles it stands for.

    "Sikh teachings are founded on compassion, justice, humility, responsibility, and service to humanity."

  4. Carrying a Sikh blade: What does the law say?published at 17:35 BST

    Hampshire and Isle of Wight's police and crime commissioner says she is writing to the prime minister to request a review of the laws concerning possession of blades under religious exemptions.

    So what is the law currently?

    Possession of a bladed article in public is usually a serious offence.

    However, Sikhs are allowed to carry a kirpan - a religious blade - as part of their faith.

    Section 139 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 states: "It shall be a defence for a person charged with an offence under this section to prove that he had the article with him (a) for use at work; (b) for religious reasons; or (c) as part of any national costume."

    Following Thursday's jury verdict, the UK Sikh Federation said the legal protection was "limited".

    In a statement, it said: "If a kirpan or a bladed item is used aggressively in an act of violence, the defence under the law for a Kirpan does not apply and it is deemed an offensive weapon."

  5. 'I have written to prime minister,' police commissioner sayspublished at 17:19 BST

    PCC Donna Jones' statement says that Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary has apologised for handcuffing Henry in the moments before he died, and that the force referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

    “The findings of the IOPC review will be published, and as Commissioner I am committed to ensuring the findings are implemented without delay," she says.

    “Central to this incident is the fact that Vickrum Digwa was able to carry a knife in public because there is an exemption for those who observe the Sikh faith to carry ceremonial daggers.

    “As Commissioner, I intend to write to the Prime Minister to request a national review of the laws concerning the carrying of bladed articles under religious exemptions.

    “Nothing can bring Henry back. There is no doubt Henry’s last moments were terrifying.

    “My thoughts my remain with his family and I will do everything I can to ensure this can never happen again in this country.”

  6. Henry's death a 'national tragedy', police commissioner sayspublished at 17:14 BST

    Hampshire's police and crime commissioner Donna Jones has released a statement saying Henry Nowak's death was a "national tragedy"

    The Conservative politician says it is clear Henry's death was "harrowing".

    “Henry was falsely accused of racially aggravated assault as he lay dying on the ground, while his attacker stood by denying the violent act he had inflicted upon him," she says.

    "The incident that led to Henry being arrested and handcuffed was part of Digwa’s cruel intentions to frame himself as the victim.

    “It is devastating the officers did not believe Henry when he said he’d been stabbed and couldn’t breathe.

    “When officers realised he was gravely wounded, they uncuffed him and started CPR.

    “His death is a national tragedy.

    “The details of the police response raises serious concerns about police impartiality, fairness and judgement."

  7. Knife crime a 'national emergency', father sayspublished at 17:05 BST

    Mark Nowak tells reporters: "Justice alone is not enough", adding that knife crime is a "national emergency".

    "We need stronger action on the ownership, the carrying and sale of all knives," he says, pointing with his finger to emphasise the word 'all'.

    "And as this case so painfully demonstrates, we need common sense applied to our laws."

    Later in the statement, Nowak says: "People should not be able to walk openly through the streets of Britain carrying a 21cm blade.

    "As a family we will not let this go."

  8. 'The way Henry was treated was inhumane'published at 16:56 BST

    Henry's father says the contrast between how his son and Digwa were treated is "unbearable".

    “Let me be absolutely clear – we hold Vickrum Digwa solely and 100% responsible for the brutal murder of our son," he says.

    "But Henry should not have died on the streets of Southampton in police custody. The way he was treated was inhumane and degrading.

    "His murderer, however, was afforded decency. He was believed. He was not handcuffed when arrested. He was not handcuffed when transported to the police station.

    “As far as we understand, he was never handcuffed at all.

    “And, as Vickrum Digwa himself told the court, while under arrest for Henry’s murder, police even took him to the kitchen so he could choose his food. The contrast is unbearable.”

  9. Family call for 'transparent investigation'published at 16:48 BST

    Nowak family

    Speaking outside court, Henry Nowak’s father Mark has called for a “full, fearless and transparent” investigation into the police handling of his son’s murder by Vickrum Digwa.

    He adds: “Our family should not have to fight for the truth."

    The court heard Henry had been handcuffed by police as he lay dying after Digwa accused him of racism.

  10. Police in foyer after shouting in courtpublished at 16:20 BST

    Fourteen police officers are in the foyer of the court.

    It comes after shouting was heard when Digwa was led down from the dock.

    Reporters and members of the public are waiting outside the building now in anticipation of the Nowak family making a statement.

  11. Verbal altercation in courtpublished at 16:10 BST

    A verbal altercation breaks out in court between family and friends of Digwa.

    After members of the Nowak group had filed out of court from seats behind the Digwa contingent, voices are raised.

    Cries of "stop, stop!" can be heard.

  12. Man who murdered student jailed for minimum of 21 yearspublished at 16:04 BST
    Breaking

    Vickrum Digwa has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 21 years for the murder of Henry Nowak.

  13. Victim was handcuffed, judge sayspublished at 15:59 BST

    Digwa misled police by giving a "convincing but wholly false narrative of the incident" when officers arrived, the judge says.

    Digwa told officers he had not been stabbed and was exaggerating, accusing Nowak of attacking him, the court heard.

    Police handcuffed Nowak about a minute before discovering his fatal wound and giving treatment, the judge says.

    "The knife wound would not have been obvious in the dark," Judge Mousley continues.

    "Henry was complaining that he had been stabbed and was struggling to breathe but that would not necessarily have told the officers how serious the incident had become."

  14. 'Your actions stirred up racial tension'published at 15:56 BST

    "You have brought shame upon your family and your religion," the judge adds.

    "Your actions have stirred up racial tension in Southampton and across the country which have made many Sikhs worried about their safety."

  15. 'I am sure that Henry said nothing racist,' judge sayspublished at 15:55 BST

    Addressing the wounds suffered, the judge continues: "Henry was never able to put up his hands to defend himself from serious injury.

    "He was defenceless. You had by contrast little but any injury.

    "There has been no independent evidence given in the trial of any injury at all to you."

    The judge says Digwa showed a "callous disregard" after stabbing or cutting Henry Nowak five times.

    "You continued to make films of Henry suffering, knowing he had been stabbed."

    The judge addressed claims that Nowak had used a racist word against Digwa.

    "I am sure that Henry said nothing racist," he says.

    "You are the only person to make that claim and it is completely at odds with his previous character."

  16. Claim victim 'barged' Digwa was a lie, judge sayspublished at 15:50 BST

    Judge Mousley says Digwa lied when he claimed in his defence that Nowak "barged" into him on the pavement, precipitating the altercation.

    He says Nowak may have "cheekily" suggested that Digwa was a "bad man".

    However, he says Digwa's carrying of a blade necessitated restraint, as the street altercation developed.

  17. Student stabbed with 'large Sikh dagger', judge sayspublished at 15:48 BST

    The fatal encounter happened when Nowak was walking back home to his student accommodation after a night out, the judge says.

    The teenager was "not drunk but may have been affected a little" by alcohol, Judge Mousley tells the court.

    Addressing Digwa, he says: "You were sober but were carrying a large Sikh dagger in a belt."

    The judge says a Sikh blade called a kirpan is worn by observant Sikhs and is "generally a small knife hidden from view".

    However, Digwa carried a second knife as part of his Sikh order, observing that tradition in everyday life, the judge says.

    It is a "fundamental principle" of Sikhism" that it should "never be carried for an offensive purpose", the judge continues.

  18. Judge begins sentencing remarkspublished at 15:40 BST

    Judge William Mousley KC opens his sentencing remarks by paying tribute to Henry Nowak.

    The teenager was "a much loved, kind, hard working and ambitious young man, devoted to his family and with a bright future", he says.

    Asking Digwa to stand briefly, the judge tells the defendant: "You Vickrum Digwa murdered him.

    "You have brought misery and a lifetime of loss upon his family and great sadness to everyone who knew him."

  19. Recap: The sentencing hearing so farpublished at 15:21 BST

    While we wait for the judge to return, here's a quick recap of the sentencing hearing so far:

    • In victim personal statements read out in court, Henry Nowak's parents, step-parents and one of his sisters have described the pain of his loss
    • The student's father Mark Nowak described lying on his bed, "hugging his pillows, wanting and needing to be close to him"
    • Prosecutor Nicholas Lobbenberg KC described Digwa as "a man with a weapons obsession" and said 25 years should be the judge's starting point for calculating the life sentence minimum term
    • However, Jeremy Wainwright KC, mitigating for Digwa, said he was "of previous good character" and had not gone out to commit a crime on the night of the attack
  20. Judge set to hand down sentence in 25 minutespublished at 15:06 BST

    The barristers have finished making their submission and the court hearing is adjourned.

    Judge William Mousley KC says he will pass sentence at 15:30 BST.

    Courtroom six empties - only journalists, the court clerk and the court usher remain for now.