The mother of a murderer who falsely claimed racism against his victim has been jailed for removing a knife from the crime scene, a case that highlights the severe consequences of tampering with evidence. Kiran Kaur, 53, was sentenced to three years in prison for assisting an offender after taking the murder weapon from where her son Vickrum Digwa stabbed 18-year-old student Henry Nowak five times on 3 December 2025.
How the Murder Unfolded
Digwa, 23, was jailed for life with a minimum of 20 years for the killing. When police arrived at the scene in Southampton, Digwa falsely claimed Nowak had racially abused him and knocked his turban off, leading officers to arrest and handcuff the student before realizing he had fatal injuries. The false claims triggered riots in the city.
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Kaur’s Role in Tampering with Evidence
Kaur was found guilty by the same jurors who convicted Digwa of murder and carrying a knife in public. Sentencing her, William Mousley KC said: “A responsible parent would have challenged their son over their actions and encouraged them to do the right thing. Instead, you took the knife home and put it with a larger collection of ceremonial and other weapons in your son’s bedroom.”
The judge emphasized that Kaur’s actions “added to your son’s pretence that he had done nothing wrong and that he was the victim.” The knife was recovered after CCTV examination and determined to be the murder weapon about a week later.
Impact on the Investigation
Prosecutor Nicholas Lobbenberg KC told the court Kaur’s role was crucial in removing the weapon while police were en route. “The absence of a weapon at the scene caused by her actions hampered the police attending who were confronted with a wall of lies,” he said. “She chose not to disclose what she had done. Absence of that weapon led to Henry dying terrified, alone and disbelieved.”
| Defendant | Charge | Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Vickrum Digwa | Murder, carrying a knife in public | Life imprisonment, minimum 20 years |
| Kiran Kaur | Assisting an offender | 3 years imprisonment |
Key Takeaways from the Case
- Tampering with evidence can lead to significant prison time, even for family members
- False claims of racism can escalate public disorder and complicate investigations
- The justice system treats obstruction of evidence severely, regardless of relationship to the perpetrator
FAQ
Why was Kiran Kaur jailed?
Kiran Kaur was jailed for three years for assisting an offender by removing the knife used in the murder of Henry Nowak from the crime scene and taking it to her home.
What was Vickrum Digwa’s sentence?
Vickrum Digwa was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 20 years for the murder of Henry Nowak.
How did the false racism claim affect the case?
Digwa’s false claim that Nowak had racially abused him led police to arrest and handcuff the victim before noticing his fatal injuries, delaying medical attention and triggering riots in Southampton.