Help end medical misogyny. Sign our petition.

Help end medical misogyny.
Sign our petition.

Sign the petition

Please or to access all these features

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Henry Nowak

1000 replies

rolloverbeethoven · 30/05/2026 15:18

Heard of him? Probably not, because there seems to be an almost complete news blackout about him. Basically the police handcuffed him and let him bleed out because they thought he may have said something racist - he didn't, it was a lie told by his murderer. Henry was 18.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
22
CaesarAugusta · Today 09:53

italianlondongirl · Yesterday 22:51

The video is so distressing. That poor poor boy.

It appeared that Henry was very much alive when the police arrived. WHY was an ambulance not called. Who were the other people standing around?

They did call an ambulance within around two minutes of finding him. I'm not excusing them in any way, but we do need to be aware of the dangers of applying hindsight: bear in mind that it was dark and he was wearing a dark t-shirt, and it is often the case at incidents like this that people claim to be hurt when they have at most trivial injuries.

JuliaBraverman · Today 09:54

CaesarAugusta · Today 09:53

They did call an ambulance within around two minutes of finding him. I'm not excusing them in any way, but we do need to be aware of the dangers of applying hindsight: bear in mind that it was dark and he was wearing a dark t-shirt, and it is often the case at incidents like this that people claim to be hurt when they have at most trivial injuries.

He has been stabbed in the face…

EasternStandard · Today 09:54

TheshadesofPemberley · Today 09:51

No doubt will get the usual
lessons will be learnt

The usual stock lines.

Noodledog · Today 09:56

JaneFondue · Today 08:14

Has anyone here seen a kirpan? It's like a blunt butter knife.
The kind of knife Dickwa used to commit the murder is already banned. He did not use a kirpan.

Edited

This is incorrect, the knife he used to stab Henry was not unlawful. The relevant part of the judgement is here:

10. You were sober but were carrying a large Sikh dagger in a sheath attached to a belt over the outside of your clothing. It is a strict requirement of the Sikh faith to have a knife, called a kirpan, at all times. Generally, this will be a small knife, hidden from view, often on a length of cord and worn around the neck. You had that but, in addition, the large dagger in a sheath. You are a member of an order of Sikhs called the Nihang who have a tradition of having a second knife, or kirpan and that is often fully visible, believing that the guru will look favourably on that. You observed that tradition in your everyday life, at work and in public. However, it was not a strict requirement; that is borne out by the fact that neither your brother nor father who arrived on the scene after you had stabbed Henry were so dressed. According to Professor Gurnam Singh, Professor of Sociology and an expert in the field: “Over the last 30 years, there has been a trend towards younger people wearing a kirpan with pride, in a desire to express their cultural identity. They see it as an act of resistance to being denied the ability otherwise to display their identity.”
11. The privilege extended to practising Sikhs of being allowed to be in public with a bladed article and, particularly in respect of the large dagger, a highly dangerous weapon, easily accessible to the wearer, brings with it huge responsibility. 12. It is a fundamental principle of Sikhism that any kirpan is worn as a symbol of religious faith and is never to be carried for an offensive purpose. The legal approach to the carrying of such a knife, as long as the blade length does not exceed 9 inches, is that an offence of Having a Bladed Article in a public place will not be prosecuted; there has been an acceptance that its possession in those circumstances, can amount to a good religious and, therefore, legal reason for having it. The blade of the knife will not be on display; either it is under clothing or, alternatively, in a sheath. For both, it is a religious and, consequently, legal requirement that a kirpan should only be used offensively as a last resort, which would include its use in legal self-defence. In other words, only if use is necessary and, if so, reasonable in the circumstances. It is obvious that for use to be reasonable, any perceived threat justifying its use would only be in circumstances of great seriousness and urgency.

Sorry it's long, but I have repeatedly linked to the judge's sentencing remarks and for some reason you seem not to want to read them.

The full judgement is here:
Digwa Final Sentencing Remarks
It's only 6 (short) pages long- it will literally take you 5 minutes to read.

https://www.judiciary.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Digwa-Final-Sentencing-Remarks.pdf

Misnofitness · Today 09:56

CaesarAugusta · Today 09:53

They did call an ambulance within around two minutes of finding him. I'm not excusing them in any way, but we do need to be aware of the dangers of applying hindsight: bear in mind that it was dark and he was wearing a dark t-shirt, and it is often the case at incidents like this that people claim to be hurt when they have at most trivial injuries.

and in this case people claim to be a victim and they weren’t. Why was one believed and the other not?

EasternStandard · Today 09:56

JaneFondue · Today 09:12

Yes. Because he used an unauthorised weapon not required by his religion.
You will note that the Nowak family has specifically said this is not a Sikh crime.

@JaneFondueits worth reading the judge’s comments on the weapon, they’re on the other Henry Nowak thread.

x post with @Noodledogwho has put them here.

OneStarAwake · Today 09:56

CaesarAugusta · Today 09:53

They did call an ambulance within around two minutes of finding him. I'm not excusing them in any way, but we do need to be aware of the dangers of applying hindsight: bear in mind that it was dark and he was wearing a dark t-shirt, and it is often the case at incidents like this that people claim to be hurt when they have at most trivial injuries.

He wasn't wearing a dark t-shirt. It was light or white under a dark jacket. There is what could be a blood stain on it at the back.

TooBigForMyBoots · Today 09:56

summermidnightsun · Today 08:40

The police released the footage after 10pm which would be too late for the morning papers (probably on purpose).

Only GB News seemed to be covering it last night and even the ‘right wing’ newspapers didn’t seem to have a story on their websites for ages, or the footage was just added and buried to existing stories. If it wasn’t for X these stories would be even more hidden.

It was reported on the News at 10 and was the main story on Newsnight. Both played the bodycam footage and the statement from Henry Nowak's father.

@2dogsandabudgie Digwa's mother has been found guilty of assisting an offender and will be sentenced in July.

1dayatatime · Today 09:56

JuliaBraverman · Today 09:21

You are fixated on the Sikhs when the real problem is that the police are choosing to believe a man of colour over a white man because of orders from above

Exactly- the fact that he was Sikh is completely irrelevant. The fact that the police chose to believe the murderer over the victim based on skin colour is relevant.

dumpti · Today 09:57

JuliaBraverman · Today 09:35

Why are you so determined to underplay a tragic senseless killing?

I'm not underplaying the killing. I'm correcting people who are making false assertions about it.

MrsKateColumbo · Today 09:57

It is horrific and the system needs to change immediately, possible stabbing needs to override hurty words every time. And no blades should be allowed by anyone.

The police have blood on their hands and need to be held to account, that poor, poor lad

EasternStandard · Today 09:59

dumpti · Today 09:57

I'm not underplaying the killing. I'm correcting people who are making false assertions about it.

I don’t think you have, some have corrected your assertions.

Jinglejangle2525 · Today 09:59

How can anyone say one person is ok to carry a knife and another person isn’t? Why cant women carry knives then considering it’s a very small % of women committing knife crimes if we are going off “likelihood”

We need to stop making exceptions for anyone and it needs to be one rule for all…When that doesn’t happen it causes division and that’s why we are in the mess we are in. Too many people think their own circumstances should come before the law, mental health, religion, sexuality, gender etc etc ….

Megifer · Today 09:59

CaesarAugusta · Today 09:53

They did call an ambulance within around two minutes of finding him. I'm not excusing them in any way, but we do need to be aware of the dangers of applying hindsight: bear in mind that it was dark and he was wearing a dark t-shirt, and it is often the case at incidents like this that people claim to be hurt when they have at most trivial injuries.

Not excusing them in any way

Goes on to excuse them in 4 ways.

RonniePickering · Today 10:00

dumpti · Today 09:57

I'm not underplaying the killing. I'm correcting people who are making false assertions about it.

You absolutely haven’t.

JuliaBraverman · Today 10:02

1dayatatime · Today 09:56

Exactly- the fact that he was Sikh is completely irrelevant. The fact that the police chose to believe the murderer over the victim based on skin colour is relevant.

It’s plain to see the real problem when our prime minister who was then the of leader of opposition was on his knees for a black career criminal in a different country yet has still failed to make a statement about Henry. It will happen later today apparently

Ipsevenenabibas · Today 10:02

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

drifoodragon · Today 10:03

JaneFondue · Today 08:49

As I have said again and again, he wasn't killed with a kirpan.
But with a knife the killer was not obligated to carry, but did because he was a psychotic.

Don't lie

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c775y853ydxo

Custody photo of Vickrum Digwa, a man with a beard, a grey jumper and a purple turban looking to the camera.

Man guilty of murdering student with ceremonial knife

First-year university student Henry Nowak was killed as he walked back from a night out in Southampton.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c775y853ydxo

Zebedee999 · Today 10:03

SpaceRaccoon · Today 09:31

Every city in England was set on fire after Mark Duggan was shot by police, and he was an armed criminal. Bit of a contrast.

Because large sections of the UK populace lack any thinking ability and can't see beyong a person the same colour as them therefore burn/loot/riot is the go to response.

Jedentag · Today 10:06

Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · Today 09:36

Oh don't talk drivel - if anyone here is guilty of 'cognitive bias, cognitive dissonance etc.' it's you.
Quick question for you - how many stabbing victims in the UK over the last 12 months other than Henry Nowak can you name?

Clearly awareness of this particular horrible case is far higher than for most murders in the UK.
And to confirm I'm utterly appalled by Henry Nowak's death and the disgraceful behaviour of the police - I hope those involved on the police side will be bought to justice.

Henry will be remembered in the public mind far more than the vast majority of young UK knife crime victims.

Thomas Taylor.

You find this amusing?

JaneFondue · Today 10:06

Have you read further down the article or just the killer's opening statement and headline? He was not authorised to carry it.

And pl stop calling me a liar. I have already been accused of being just as bad as the killer's mum.

We csn disagree civilly.

drifoodragon · Today 10:07

Noodledog · Today 09:56

This is incorrect, the knife he used to stab Henry was not unlawful. The relevant part of the judgement is here:

10. You were sober but were carrying a large Sikh dagger in a sheath attached to a belt over the outside of your clothing. It is a strict requirement of the Sikh faith to have a knife, called a kirpan, at all times. Generally, this will be a small knife, hidden from view, often on a length of cord and worn around the neck. You had that but, in addition, the large dagger in a sheath. You are a member of an order of Sikhs called the Nihang who have a tradition of having a second knife, or kirpan and that is often fully visible, believing that the guru will look favourably on that. You observed that tradition in your everyday life, at work and in public. However, it was not a strict requirement; that is borne out by the fact that neither your brother nor father who arrived on the scene after you had stabbed Henry were so dressed. According to Professor Gurnam Singh, Professor of Sociology and an expert in the field: “Over the last 30 years, there has been a trend towards younger people wearing a kirpan with pride, in a desire to express their cultural identity. They see it as an act of resistance to being denied the ability otherwise to display their identity.”
11. The privilege extended to practising Sikhs of being allowed to be in public with a bladed article and, particularly in respect of the large dagger, a highly dangerous weapon, easily accessible to the wearer, brings with it huge responsibility. 12. It is a fundamental principle of Sikhism that any kirpan is worn as a symbol of religious faith and is never to be carried for an offensive purpose. The legal approach to the carrying of such a knife, as long as the blade length does not exceed 9 inches, is that an offence of Having a Bladed Article in a public place will not be prosecuted; there has been an acceptance that its possession in those circumstances, can amount to a good religious and, therefore, legal reason for having it. The blade of the knife will not be on display; either it is under clothing or, alternatively, in a sheath. For both, it is a religious and, consequently, legal requirement that a kirpan should only be used offensively as a last resort, which would include its use in legal self-defence. In other words, only if use is necessary and, if so, reasonable in the circumstances. It is obvious that for use to be reasonable, any perceived threat justifying its use would only be in circumstances of great seriousness and urgency.

Sorry it's long, but I have repeatedly linked to the judge's sentencing remarks and for some reason you seem not to want to read them.

The full judgement is here:
Digwa Final Sentencing Remarks
It's only 6 (short) pages long- it will literally take you 5 minutes to read.

Fuck me, this right to carry knives needs to be outlawed.

Noodledog · Today 10:11

JaneFondue · Today 10:06

Have you read further down the article or just the killer's opening statement and headline? He was not authorised to carry it.

And pl stop calling me a liar. I have already been accused of being just as bad as the killer's mum.

We csn disagree civilly.

Jane, he was allowed to carry it. I've literally just c+p'ed the part of the judge's remarks about Digwa's carrying of the murder weapon.

I've also linked the full judgement. It would take you, at most, five minutes to read.

JaneFondue · Today 10:13

I have read the judgement @Noodledog. It says knives over 9 inches are not allowed. The knife used was way longer.
The Nihang Sikh blade is not required, but an item of fashion.
The blade must be concealed under clothing.

Digwa contravened all this.

JuliaBraverman · Today 10:13

There is a poster on another thread who is married to a Sikh and no one in his family carries a dagger as that would be just insane…..common sense applied at last

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

This thread is not accepting new messages.
Swipe left for the next trending thread