Sentencing in a Southampton murder case involving a kirpan (a ceremonial dagger associated with Sikhism), along with the release of video footage of the police response sparked debates online and in the U.K. Parliament on Tuesday around policing and knife crime and the politicization of a brutal murder.

Vickrum Digwa, 23, was sentenced on Monday to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years for killing 18-year-old Henry Nowak in Southampton on December 3, 2025. Nowak was unarmed and stabbed multiple times by Digwa with the latter’s 21 cm long kirpan. Digwa had then gone on to lie to the police that Nowak, who was alone, used racial slurs against him. He had also lied to the police saying he had not stabbed Nowak.  

Digwa was convicted of murder last Thursday. Digwa’s mother, Kiran Kaur, 53, who removed the dagger, sheath and belt from the scene is also in police custody. She has beenconvicted for assisting an offender and will be sentenced at a later date.

The privilege of being allowed to carry a bladed article in public comes with a “huge responsibility” the judge said during the sentencing.

Disturbing police bodycam footage released on Monday night showed a dying Nowak repeatedly telling police officers that he could not breathe and that he had been stabbed. Yet, Nowak was propped up, handcuffed and informed by the police that he was being arrested for assault.

 One officer is heard asking Nowak where he was stabbed and then saying, “Don’t think you have, mate.”

Another officer can be heard saying Nowak has to be checked (for stab wounds). Digwa can be seen claiming his turban was pulled off and that he had sustained a bruise above his eye.

“Henry did not die with dignity…he lost consciousness before anyone believed him,” Henry’s father, Mark Nowak, said outside Southampton Crown Court on Monday.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), a police watchdog, has launched an investigation into the incident.

U.K. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood made a statement to the House of Commons on Wednesday evening, in which she condemned the attack and pushed back against claims of two-tier policing (i.e., different policing procedures for different communities).

Reform UK’s Robert Jenrick (until recently a Conservative) told Parliament that the police officer who arrested Nowak should be prosecuted for dereliction of duty.

Earlier in the day, Reform U.K. chief Nigel Farage asked people to respond to the crime with “pure cold rage”, even as he characterised the Novak family’s response as “extraordinarily dignified”.

The victim’s father had said that he did not want the murder to be used to create “further hatred or division”.

Ms Mahmood told the House of Commons that she echoed the Nowak family’s words from Monday and that the case should not be used to turn communities against each other.

Several Sikh MPs strongly condemned the murder in the House of Commons warning against scapegoating specific communities and politicising the murder along religious fault lines.

“There have been calls to limit the right of Sikhs to carry their ceremonial knife, the kirpan, one of the five holy items in their faith,” Ms Mahmood told Parliament, adding that it was the previous Conservative government, in 2019, that had strengthened protections related to long weapons, including kirpans, carried for religious and ceremonial purposes.

“But let me be clear, carrying a knife for the purpose of religious observance is one thing. Using it as so tragically occurred in this case is quite another,” she said. The Home Secretary reiterated the government’s commitment to halving knife crime in the U.K. in this decade.

“We are deeply sorry for the pain and suffering the Nowak family has had to endure,” the Digwa family said in a statement via the Sikh Press Association, in which they also apologised to the Sikh community for their son’s actions which, they said, had “unfairly brought the community into disrepute”.

Published – June 02, 2026 09:42 pm IST

Manchester United crashed to a humiliating 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth, while Chelsea missed the chance to go top of the Premier League after a 0-0 draw at Everton on Sunday. United boss Ruben Amorim, who once again left Marcus Rashford out of his squad, is set for a miserable Christmas following the worst result of his brief reign. Languishing in 13th place, United have suffered four defeats in nine matches in all competitions since Amorim arrived from Sporting Lisbon in November to replace the sacked Erik ten Hag.

United’s second successive loss after their League Cup exit at Tottenham on Thursday underlined Amorim’s belief that their road back to the top will be long and arduous.

United, who have conceded first in their last six games, were booed off at half-time, while the final whistle was greeted by more jeers from the few fans who stayed until the bitter end.

While it is far too early to pass judge on Amorim, the Portuguese coach cannot afford many more results like this if he is to keep the players and fans on his side.

Amorim’s decision to play without Rashford for the third consecutive game will face fresh scrutiny after United’s wretched performance.

Amorim surprisingly omitted the 27-year-old England forward from the squad for United’s win at Manchester City last weekend, prompting Rashford to hint he was willing to leave the club for a “new challenge”.

Rashford was at Old Trafford wearing a United tracksuit amid his extended exile as Amorim made six changes from the line-up beaten 4-3 by Tottenham in the League Cup quarter-finals.

Again, United were exposed at set-pieces in the 29th minute when Bournemouth’s teenage defender Dean Huijsen punished poor marking at a free-kick to glance a header past Andre Onana.

There was even worse to come for Amorim in the second half as Justin Kluivert doubled fifth-placed Bournemouth’s advantage with a 61st minute penalty following Noussair Mazraoui’s foul on the forward.

Antoine Semenyo compounded United’s misery two minutes later with a cool finish from Dango Ouattara’s pass.

With leaders Liverpool playing at Tottenham in Sunday’s late game, second-placed Chelsea would have gone top, for at least a few hours, if they had won at Everton.

But Enzo Maresca‘s side had to settle for a goalless stalemate that ended their five-match winning run in the league.

Chelsea sit one point behind Liverpool who have two games in hand on the Blues, starting with their trip to Tottenham.

It was an encouraging start to a new era for Everton — four points clear of the relegation zone — under new owners the Friedkin Group, whose purchase brought an end to Farhad Moshiri’s tumultuous tenure.

Everton’s new executive chairman Marc Watts was in attendance at Goodison Park to see Chelsea come closest to winning when Nicolas Jackson’s first-half header hit the post.

Wolves boss Vitor Pereira enjoyed a dream debut as his side won 3-0 at relegation rivals Leicester.

Replacing the sacked Gary O’Neil, former Porto boss Pereira left his role at Saudi Pro League side Al-Shabab to fulfil his dream of managing in England.

Goncalo Guedes started the Pereira era with a flourish as he met Nelson Semedo’s cross with an agile finish in the 19th minute.

As if that welcome gift from his fellow Portuguese wasn’t enough, Pereira received another present from a compatriot in the 36th minute when Rodrigo Gomes slid in to notch his first goal for Wolves.

Matheus Cunha’s 44th minute strike from Guedes’ pass ensured third-bottom Wolves would move within two points of fourth-bottom Leicester.

Bottom-of-the-table Southampton held on for a 0-0 draw at Fulham as new manager Ivan Juric watched from the stands.

Juric, axed by Roma in November after just 12 games, was not in charge on Sunday as he awaited a work permit to replace Russell Martin.

Southampton are eight points adrift of safety with only one win from 17 league games.

Southampton on Saturday named Croatian Ivan Juric as their new manager.© Southampton FC

File image of Russell Martin© AFP

Southampton were denied victory by a controversial VAR decision in a 1-1 draw at high-flying Brighton on Friday. Flynn Downes had just cancelled out Kaoru Mitoma’s opener for Brighton when Cameron Archer thought he had put the Saints 2-1 up. A VAR check of more than four minutes eventually decided Archer was onside but penalised Adam Armstrong, who was offside but did not touch the ball, for interfering with play. Southampton had to settle for a first away point of the season as a result and remain bottom of the table, four points adrift of safety.

A point was enough to lift Brighton up to second on alphabetical order ahead of Manchester City, who face leaders Liverpool in the pick of the weekend’s action on Sunday.

Brighton were left to rue not making more of a dominant first-half display.

Georginio Rutter hit the post and fired another effort wide, while Mitoma wasted a huge chance in the opening stages.

Brighton’s pressure finally paid off on the half hour mark when Mitoma stooped to head in Tariq Lamptey’s cross.

Southampton levelled 13 minutes into the second half with the impressive Tyler Dibling the architect.

The teenager’s square ball teed up Armstrong, whose shot was blocked, but the loose ball found its way to Downes, who hammered home first time from the edge of the area.

Eight minutes later Dibling wriggled clear of three Brighton players inside his own half and then spread the ball to Fraser.

His low cross evaded Armstrong and was finished at the far post by Archer – only to be chalked off to the dismay of boss Russell Martin.

“I’m fed up talking about decisions,” said Martin.

“We were told it affects Bart Verbruggen ability (to play the ball) and if Adam’s run moved Verbruggen from his position then I would understand the decision, but he hasn’t moved.

“I cannot see how it has affected the goalkeeper.”

The VAR delay led to 13 minutes of added time and Brighton nearly snatched victory at the death.

Simon Adingra’s effort on the stretch flicked off the outside of the far post.

Liverpool beat Crystal Palace 1-0 to remain top of the Premier League as Arsenal and Manchester City came from behind to win on Saturday. City were 3-2 victors over Fulham to stay one point behind Liverpool, alongside Arsenal who saw off Southampton 3-1. Arne Slot has now won nine of his first 10 games since succeeding Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool manager, but was frustrated that the visitors invited a late onslaught from the winless Eagles. Jota prodded the Reds into the lead from Cody Gakpo’s cross on nine minutes.

The Portuguese international was then guilty of missing two big chances to extend Liverpool’s advantage.

Palace failed to make them pay, but victory came at a cost for Slot as goalkeeper Alisson Becker limped off with a hamstring injury.

“If you score the second you break them mentally,” said Slot. “All the fans kept believing in a result because it was only 1-0, even though in my opinion we were the dominant team.”

Fresh from a dominant win over Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, Arsenal were expected to sweep aside winless Southampton.

But the Saints shocked the Emirates 10 minutes into the second half when Cameron Archer fired in his first Premier League goal since a summer move from Aston Villa.

The lead only lasted three minutes before Kai Havertz scored for the seventh consecutive home game.

Gabriel Martinelli was introduced after an hour and took just eight minutes to make his mark with a finish on the volley from Bukayo Saka’s cross.

Having set up Arsenal’s first two goals, Saka pounced on a loose ball to score the third himself.

Fulham’s outrageous opener

Rodri‘s season-long absence due to a serious knee injury is expected to be a major blow to City’s chances of retaining the title for a fifth consecutive season.

But it was the Spaniard’s deputy Mateo Kovacic who scored twice to turn the game around for the champions at the Etihad.

The visitors had not lost since the opening night of the season at Manchester United and led thanks to Andreas Pereira’s finish from an outrageous backheel assist by Raul Jimenez.

Kovacic’s deflected effort quickly brought City level before a cleaner strike less than two minutes into the second half made it 2-1.

Jeremy Doku then smashed into the top corner from outside the box to give City a two-goal cushion, which they needed.

Rodrigo Muniz gave Fulham hope on 88 minutes, but City held out for a 17th consecutive win against the Cottagers.

West Ham eased the pressure on new boss Julen Lopetegui by ending a run of three home defeats to start the new season.

Michail Antonio, Mohammed Kudus, Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paqueta struck for the Hammers in a 4-1 win over Ipswich, who are still waiting for their first Premier League win 22 years.

There were six goals before half-time as Brentford beat Wolves 5-3 to leave the visitors still rooted to the foot of the table.

Leicester secured their first league win of the season as Facundo Buonanotte’s strike beat Bournemouth 1-0.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag faces a huge match if he is to remain in charge when the Red Devils visit Aston Villa in the pick of Sunday’s action.

Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier (left) and Bhaichung Bhutia.© NDTV

Bournemouth’s record signing Evanilson scored his first goal for the club as the Cherries beat Southampton 3-1 on Monday. The Brazilian international sparked a three-goal blitz from the home side in the opening 39 minutes as Dango Ouattara and Antoine Semenyo also struck. Taylor Harwood-Bellis pulled a goal back for Saints early in the second half, but they remain in the bottom three and without a win since their return to the Premier League. Bournemouth climb above Manchester United into 11th with their second win of the campaign.

Evanilson has big shoes to fill as the replacement for Dominic Solanke, who departed to Tottenham for a club record fee last month.

The 40 million pounds striker did not get off to a good start as he missed a penalty in a 1-0 defeat to Chelsea in Bournemouth’s last home game.

However, he banished those memories by latching onto Marcus Tavernier’s quickly taken free-kick on 17 minutes.

“It is a goal we’ve been expecting of Evanilson,” said Bournemouth assistant manager Tommy Elphick, who was deputising for suspended boss Andoni Iraola.

“He is so intelligent and makes such cute runs. We haven’t been finding him enough so I’m pleased for him.”

Ouattara was then in the right place to deflect Lewis Cook’s shot past Aaron Ramsdale.

Semenyo has so far filled the void left by Solanke and his fierce drive found the bottom corner for his third goal in six Premier League appearances this season.

It was a familiar tale for Southampton as their dominance of possession counted for little in terms of points.

Russell Martin‘s men sit second bottom with just one point from their opening six games.

“I am so hurt by the first-half performance after the first goal. I didn’t recognise our team,” said Martin.

“There was no aggression or courage. They were looking around and in self-preservation mode on the pitch. I didn’t like it one bit. They showed fight in the second half, but it was too late.”

Last season all three promoted sides were relegated from the Premier League for the first time since 1997/98.

The early evidence of this season also suggests the gulf between the Championship and the top tier is becoming increasingly difficult to breach for teams coming up.

Ipswich and Leicester have also failed to register a win in their opening six league matches but do at least sit outside the bottom three.

Arsenal took four points from Manchester City last season, including a win at home.© AFP

Manchester United gave manager Erik ten Hag some breathing space with a 3-0 win at Southampton on Saturday thanks to goals from Matthijs de Ligt, Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho. However, United had to ride out an early Southampton storm and the outcome could have been vastly different had Andre Onana not saved Cameron Archer’s penalty at 0-0. De Ligt’s first United goal and Rashford’s first for six months quickly flipped momentum in the visitors’ favour just before half-time. Southampton’s woes were compounded when captain Jack Stephens was sent-off 11 minutes from time for a wild challenge on Garnacho, who rounded off the scoring in stoppage time.

Saints remain without a point from four games on their return to the Premier League, while United’s second win of the season lifts them up to eighth.

Ten Hag began the campaign already under scrutiny after surviving an internal review of his position in May following an eighth-place finish in the Premier League last season.

Back-to-back defeats before the international break to Brighton and Liverpool had ramped up the pressure even more on the Dutchman and the Red Devils had to ride their luck early on at St. Mary’s.

Ten Hag dropped Casemiro to the bench after his nightmare showing in the 3-0 defeat to Liverpool, but new signing Manuel Ugarte also had to wait for his debut as a second-half substitute.

United still struggled to control midfield in the opening quarter and were indebted to Onana’s penalty save as a turning point in the game.

A failure to make the most of some promising build-up play has been the story of Southampton’s their return to the top flight.

Teenager Tyler Dibling caught the eye on his first Premier League start and his trickery lured Diogo Dalot into a rash challenge inside the area.

But Archer’s spot-kick lacked conviction and Onana parried his attempt before easily clutching the striker’s follow-up header at the second attempt.

Just two minutes later, United led as De Ligt put a difficult week with the Dutch national team behind him to open his account.

The former Bayern Munich centre-back was subbed off at half-time by Ronald Koeman after errors that led to two German goals in a 2-2 Nations League draw in Amsterdam.

De Ligt rose to fame at Ajax under Ten Hag, who was rewarded for his faith in the 25-year-old after starting him ahead of Harry Maguire.

A short corner caught Southampton napping and Bruno Fernandes’ cross perfectly picked out De Ligt to head into the bottom corner.

Saints brought in Aaron Ramsdale from Arsenal on the final day of the transfer window to boost their chances of survival and the England goalkeeper did at least keep the score down.

Rashford’s much-needed goal was momentarily delayed by a fine Ramsdale save at his near post.

However, Rashford’s wait since March to get on the scoresheet came to an end on 41 minutes when his low strike from outside the box curled into the far corner.

Ramsdale denied De Ligt a second before half-time as United threatened to run riot.

But the second period was far more sedate as the visitors comfortably held Southampton at bay before the home side’s frustration bubbled over.

Stephens’ unneccessary lunge caught Garnacho on the knee and was rightly punished with a straight red card.

The Argentine then rubbed salt in Southampton wounds with a thumping finish from Dalot’s cross in the 96th minute.