The prison sentence of Vikrum Digoa, the man convicted of murdering 18-year-old student Henry Nowak, has been referred to the Court of Appeal for review under the UK’s lenient sentencing regime.Degoa, 23, was sentenced to life imprisonment at Southampton Crown Court on June 1 and ordered to serve a minimum of 21 years before becoming eligible for parole.
The referral was made by Solicitor General Ellie Reeves MP for KC, who said she hoped the move would help bring justice to Nowak’s family.Nowak was stabbed to death on December 3 after being attacked with a 21cm knife. During the trial, Degoa claimed that he carried the blade because of his Sikh belief.The case attracted widespread attention after evidence emerged that police initially arrested Nowak and handcuffed him at the scene before officers realized he had suffered life-threatening injuries.Body-worn camera footage later released by authorities showed the teen repeatedly telling officers that he had been stabbed and was struggling to breathe. Degoa allegedly told police that Nowak attacked and racially abused him.
In a statement announcing the referral, Reeves described the case as terrifying the public.“No ruling can erase the devastation Henry’s family has suffered, or fill the void left by his loss,” she said, adding that she hopes the appeals process will help secure the justice the family deserves.Public anger over the case intensified after police footage was released, leading to protests in Southampton on 2 June.
Since then, authorities have charged 23 people in connection with the disorder, while 13 defendants have been imprisoned.The Court of Appeal will now consider whether Degoa’s sentence should be increased.The Unjustified Sentencing Scheme (ULS) allows some Crown Court sentences in England and Wales to be reviewed if they are deemed too low. Under this scheme, the public defender can refer the case to the Court of Appeal, which then decides whether the sentence is unjustifiably lenient, and increases it if necessary.
