Henry Nowak death: Murder trial racism claim 'wicked lie', court told
For the defence, Jeremey Wainwright KC said prosecutors had downplayed the importance of the kirpan, a ceremonial blade worn by observant Sikhs. "To dismiss that sacred code as religious bits and bobs may tell you where the prosecution are coming from," he said.He added: "He's carried that knife in the same way that he does in every day in his life, as part of his religion."Jurors were told there were no witnesses to the start of the confrontation. The defence said Digwa reacted while "under attack, in pain and scared".Digwa's mother is accused of helping her son by hiding the knife.Mark Watson KC, representing Kaur, said she was distressed, uninformed, and placed the item among religious objects at home.He added that "you don't put it back where it normally is and is normally accessible" if you were trying to hide it."The Crown say she must have known," he said, adding: "Assumption has no place in this courtroom."Previously, the court heard that the University of Southampton student was walking back to his accommodation after drinking to a level below the drink-drive limit.Police initially handcuffed the victim before discovering his fatal injury a short time later. The trial continues.
