Murder accused used racism as 'trump card', court told
In his closing statement, Nicholas Lobbenberg KC, prosecuting, called Vickrum Digwa a liar, referencing his statements to the police at the scene that Mr Nowak hadn't been stabbed as he lay dying.
He said: "Racism was his trump card to try and make sure he was believed that what he had done was lawful.
"And we say that was a wicked lie about a dying man. And it is a wicked lie about a dead man to you now.
"He knows full well what he has done, he is just not saying it to police, and he is not saying it to you."
The comments from the prosecutor came on the ninth day of the trial at Southampton Crown Court, as barristers for both sides made their closing arguments.
Digwa is charged with the murder and manslaughter of the 18-year-old university student Henry Nowak in Belmont Road on December 3, 2025.
The 23-year-old is also charged with carrying a knife in public, and his mother, Kiran Kaur, 53, is accused of assisting an offender by removing the weapon from the scene.
Both defendants, of St Denys Road, deny the offences against them.
Henry Nowak (Image: Hampshire Constabulary)
Mr Lobbenberg reminded the jury about the videos they had been shown, including Mr Nowak attempting to escape over a fence.
He also reiterated that Digwa had no religious obligation to carry the weapon used.
Jeremy Wainwright KC, defending for Digwa again argued that his client had stabbed out in self-defence in response to an assault, threats, and racism from Mr Nowak.
He also asked the jury to consider who started the confrontation, particularly in a video taken by Mr Nowak where he asks Digwa if he is a "bad man".
He added that although Mr Nowak was under the drink drive limit, he was still known as a "lightweight", as "One Strongbow Henry".
Further to this, he said there was no evidence that Digwa had started the encounter.
Mr Wainwright added that his client regularly wore the kirpan knife used to deliver the fatal blow to Mr Nowak, as was his right as a Sikh.
Mark Watson, defence for Kaur, told the court that they had to be sure his client knew that the knife had been used in an offence when she took it from Digwa and returned it home.
He said: "You have to decide this case on its evidence, not on emotion. On proof, not assumption."
The trial continues, and the jury is expected to be sent out for deliberations tomorrow.
