Early release of murderer's mother would be 'significant blow' to Henry Nowak's family – police chief

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The mother of killer Vickrum Digwa could reportedly be released from prison early, in what is being described as a “blow” for the family of Digwa’s young victim, Henry Nowak.

Kiran Kaur was jailed for three years for removing the knife used by her son to murder Mr Nowak, an 18-year-old university student, from the crime scene.

Kaur was sentenced at Southampton Crown Court in July for assisting an offender on the night of the murder on 3 December 2025 by taking the weapon back to the nearby family home.

Kaur could serve less than half of her sentence and be freed around the anniversary of Mr Nowak’s death under the Government’s early release scheme, ITV News reported.

She is also appealing against her sentence, with a hearing scheduled at the Court of Appeal on 5 November.

Donna Jones, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, told the BBC’s Today programme that an early release would raise “very serious questions about the robustness of our criminal justice system”.

She said that she would write to Justice Secretary Alex Norris and request “clarity” on the matter.

Ms Jones said that prisoners were released early in the UK because of prison overcrowding.

“Let’s not forget that prison overcrowding is in the adult male prison population.

“It doesn’t affect youth offending, so young males or females, and in fact it’s almost impossible for young females to be sent to prison now, anyway. But it certainly doesn’t affect the adult female prison population.

“So Kiran Kaur is not taking up a bed in a prison in the United Kingdom right now that could otherwise be going to someone who is posing a much bigger threat to the country.”

Kaur, who is an Indian national, may be eligible for the government’s deportation scheme after her release.

The Home Office declined to comment on individual cases, but said: “Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Henry Nowak, whose life was cruelly cut short in a horrific act of violence.