A man jailed for life for murdering student Henry Nowak has had his minimum prison term increased to 25 years after the Court of Appeal ruled his original sentence was unduly lenient. Vickrum Digwa, 23, will now have to serve at least 24 years and 190 days before he can be considered for parole.

The murder

Digwa stabbed 18-year-old Mr Nowak five times with a large dagger in Belmont Road, Southampton, on 3 December 2025. He was convicted of murder at Southampton Crown Court in June 2026 and given a life sentence with a minimum term of 21 years.

The appeal

The case came before the Court of Appeal on Thursday, 5 November, after Attorney General Ellie Reeves referred the sentence under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme. Digwa also asked the court to cut his term, arguing it was manifestly excessive. The judges rejected his bid. Lady Chief Justice Baroness Carr, sitting with Mr Justice Nicklin and Mr Justice Wall, said the original term "did not adequately reflect the overall seriousness of the murder" and was "not only lenient, but unduly so".

Time already served

The 25-year minimum term was reduced to reflect the 175 days Digwa spent on remand before he was jailed, leaving a minimum of 24 years and 190 days to serve. Digwa appeared at the hearing by video link from HMP Frankland, and members of Mr Nowak's family attended the Royal Courts of Justice.

Family reaction

Mr Nowak's family said they face a "life sentence of grief" and that their "fight for justice is far from over". The family has also called for changes to knife laws.