A mother jailed for removing the weapon used to murder teenager Henry Nowak is expected to be released early from prison and could be deported back to India.
Kiran Kaur was sentenced to three years behind bars at Southampton Crown Court in July after being convicted of assisting an offender. The 53-year-old Indian national took away the dagger used by her son, Vickrum Digwa, to kill 18-year-old Nowak. She is now due to serve less than half of her sentence under government early release measures, with her freedom expected around the anniversary of the murder.
Video captured knife order
Mobile phone footage recovered from Digwa recorded the moment he instructed his mother to clear the murder weapon from the scene on the night of the attack on December 3.
During sentencing, the judge highlighted that Kaur’s conduct before and after taking the weapon helped reinforce her son’s false claims of innocence.
The court noted her actions added to her son’s pretence that he had done nothing wrong and was himself the victim.
Foreign criminal faces removal
A Government spokesperson stated:
“Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Henry Nowak, whose life was cruelly cut short in a horrific act of violence. We will always seek to deport foreign criminals at the first opportunity.”
As an Indian citizen, Kaur meets the criteria for the government deportation scheme. Official sources indicate that a final decision regarding her deportation following release has not yet been taken.
Her sentence calculation incorporated 221 days already spent on remand prior to sentencing.
Court appeals set for November
Kaur is challenging her prison sentence at the Court of Appeal on November 5.
Her son is scheduled to appear on the same date to appeal the length of his own sentence. Digwa was handed a minimum term of 21 years behind bars in June.
Meanwhile, the Attorney General’s office has referred Digwa’s sentence to the Court of Appeal as unduly lenient, seeking to increase his time behind bars. Digwa has additionally launched a separate challenge against his murder conviction.
Digwa fatally stabbed Nowak on Belmont Road in Southampton before falsely telling officers he was the target of a racial assault. Body-worn camera footage showed police officers putting handcuffs on Nowak, who was visiting from Chafford Hundred in Essex, moments before he collapsed unconscious.
Early release scheme expands
Ministers argue the expanded discharge initiative is vital to prevent the complete collapse of the justice system.
Thousands of offenders are being freed in batches over the coming months:
- Total releases: Around 5,000 prisoners are scheduled to be set free in stages over the next year.
- Exemptions applied: Initial plans for 6,000 releases were reduced after rapists and severe child sex offenders were excluded.
- Recent figures: A further 650 inmates were released this week, following 700 set free less than two weeks ago.