UMVA has learned that a shocking case of deception and violence has unfolded in a tragic incident that claimed the life of a young student, Henry Nowak.
Vickrum Digwa, the killer, was found to have brazenly lied to emergency services about the events leading up to Nowak's death, leaving the victim to suffer a fatal stab wound.
Digwa's brother, Gurpreet, made a 999 call claiming that their family was the victim of a racist attack, but it was later revealed that this was a fabrication.
In the call, Gurpreet can be heard saying that he was attacked by Nowak, and that his brother was defending himself, but this account was later disputed.
Nowak died alone, handcuffed, and humiliated, with a fatal 8cm chest wound, and Digwa's lies meant that he did not receive timely medical attention.
Digwa was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 21 years, and also found guilty of carrying a knife with a 21cm blade in a public place.
The court heard that Digwa had filmed Nowak fleeing and then dying, with close-ups of his face, which was described as both intrusive and humiliating.
The judge, William Mousley KC, condemned Digwa's actions, stating that he had "robbed" Nowak of his life and brought "misery and a lifetime of loss" to his family.
Nowak's family members paid tribute to him, describing him as "ambitious, determined, and full of life," and expressing their devastation at his loss.
In a statement, Nowak's mother, Lucy, said that her son had his whole life ahead of him, but that future was "cruelly taken away," and that the pain of his loss was constant.
Digwa's family members issued an apology for his actions, expressing sorrow for the pain and suffering caused to the Nowak family and asking for privacy as they came to terms with the tragedy.
