Henry Nowak's family slam killer's appeal as 'ludicrous' and early release of mother as 'disgrace'

The family of Henry Nowak, a teenager fatally stabbed in Southampton, has voiced their outrage over the decision to allow his killer to appeal against his sentence and the impending early release of the killer's mother, who concealed the murder weapon.

Henry, 18, from Chafford Hundred in Essex, was attacked on 3 December and died from multiple stab wounds. Vickrum Digwa, 23, was convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years earlier this year. He is now challenging the length of his sentence, arguing it is too harsh.

In an interview with ITV News, Henry's stepmother, Katie Nowak, described the appeal as "ludicrous" and "another fight" for the family. "It just doesn't feel fair to us at all," she said. "It was a very clear verdict. It's not right that he's allowed to do this."

The court will also review a referral by the Attorney General, who contends that Digwa's sentence was unduly lenient.

Compounding the family's anguish is the scheduled early release of Digwa's mother, Kiran Kaur, who was sentenced to three years in July for assisting an offender after hiding the knife used in the killing. Under the Sentencing Act 2026, which took effect on 1 October, most prisoners serving fixed-term sentences of up to two and a half years are automatically released on licence after serving a third of their term, rather than half. Kaur, who spent 221 days on remand, will be freed this December after serving just one year. She is also appealing her sentence.

Henry's father, Mark Nowak, called the situation an "absolute disgrace." He said: "She'll be out for Christmas, and I won't have Christmas with Henry."

Henry's mother, Lucy Ross, told ITV News: "Mother to mother, she is no mother. We all protect our children, but we also protect our children from right and wrong. But she never did the right thing. She hid the knife, which had Henry's blood on it."

Ross added that Kaur's release, which coincides with the anniversary of Henry's murder, feels "particularly cruel." She said: "As soon as she gets out, she could arrange a visiting order to go see [Digwa]. She's lucky enough that she could go and see her boy. I have to go to Henry's grave to see Henry."

The family is calling on the government to reconsider both Kaur's early release and the broader early release scheme. Katie Nowak said: "Victims need to have far more weight and thought given to how they feel. Because throughout this whole process, it doesn't feel like anyone's on your side."

Under the Sentencing Act 2026, which applies to most fixed-term sentences of up to two and a half years, prisoners are released after serving one-third of their term. Kaur's offence is not among those excluded from the scheme. She will serve the remainder of her sentence in the community on licence and could be recalled to prison if she breaches her conditions.

The family's fight for justice will be featured in a special programme, "Dear Henry: Our Fight for Justice - A Tonight Special," airing on Thursday 5 November at 9pm on ITV1, ITVX, STV and ITV News YouTube.