A police transcript released by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) shows that Vickrum Digwa admitted stabbing 16-year-old Henry Nowak multiple times while speaking to his brother in a police van two days after the killing, Sky news reported.
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The conversation took place on December 5, 2025, as Digwa and his brother, Gurpreet, were being transported to court following Henry’s death in Southampton, UK. The exchange, originally in Punjabi and later translated into English, was used as evidence during Digwa’s trial and made public on Thursday.
According to the transcript, Gurpreet questioned his brother about the incident, asking whether he had done anything. Digwa confirmed he had and described where he had stabbed Henry, indicating injuries near the shoulder, towards the face, and in the chest. Prosecutors told the court that Henry, a finance student, suffered five stab wounds as he walked home after a night out with friends in December last year.
The conversation also shows Gurpreet advising Digwa to claim he acted in self-defence. He urged him to say he had been frightened and suggested presenting that explanation to investigators. At another point, Gurpreet questioned why a weapon had been used, suggesting Digwa could have fought without it. Digwa replied, “I am a fool.”
The brothers also discussed how the weapon should be described. Their exchange included references to a “kirpan,” a small ceremonial blade carried by some Sikhs as part of their faith, and “dori,” a term referring to a kirpan worn around the neck. The Sikh community has disputed the use of the term “kirpan” in relation to the weapon used in the attack. The court heard that although Digwa had a small kirpan, Henry was stabbed with a larger traditional Indo-Persian dagger.
During the conversation, Gurpreet suggested his brother should describe the weapon differently and advised him to consult his solicitor before making further statements.
The court heard that after the attack, Digwa did not call for medical assistance but instead filmed Henry as he lay injured on the ground. He later told police he had been the victim of a racially motivated attack. The CPS said the translated transcript formed part of the evidence presented during the trial.
