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Henry Nowak…….an absolute tragedy.

(798 Posts)
Sago Fri 29-May-26 08:41:07

How has the tragic case of this young man not caused outrage?

Imagine if he had been a person of colour or ethnic minority.

The Police handling of this case raises serious questions.

The killer behaved appallingly, lying to Police and then getting his family to hide weapons and cover for him.

It’s also astonishing to learn Sikhs can carry these knives in public because they are “ religious regalia”

For anyone that isn’t aware of this tragedy here is a link.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c70vy0kknj4o

rafichagran Sun 31-May-26 21:14:55

Apologies sike of the post appeared twice.

surfsup Sun 31-May-26 22:13:59

Twaddle

Maybe I don't have anything better to do with my time. I assume that was meant as a personal insult, but I won't be reporting you

Please don’t accuse me of making things up as it’s here for all to see. You accused me of making a personal attack upon you. I did no such thing.
However. I don’t intend to have a back and forth with you and won’t be reporting you for your insult to me as I don’t indulge in such petty behaviour.
Enjoy your evening.

surfsup Sun 31-May-26 22:24:17

The murderer raised racism when he lied to the police and in court when he stated he was the victim of a racist attack. The police immediately handcuffed a fatally injured, innocent young man.

Thankfully everything had been recorded on mobile phone and played in court so there’s no disputing what happened.

GrannyGravy13 Mon 01-Jun-26 08:08:14

The murderer is being sentenced today.

MissAdventure Mon 01-Jun-26 09:35:17

Let's hope he gets the sentence he so richly deserves.

Sago Mon 01-Jun-26 10:31:26

MissAdventure

Let's hope he gets the sentence he so richly deserves.

I really hope so.

The mother, brother and Police are culpable too, they all have blood on their hands.

Rumours are circulating about the three officers that detained him, I think after sentencing we may all know a bit more.

MissAdventure Mon 01-Jun-26 10:34:49

I've gleaned a little bit of (mis?)information from floating around online, regarding the whole incident.
I can't imagine what a terrible burden this is for Henry's family.

Sago Mon 01-Jun-26 11:39:49

MissAdventure

I've gleaned a little bit of (mis?)information from floating around online, regarding the whole incident.
I can't imagine what a terrible burden this is for Henry's family.

Yes, it is possibly misinformation!

Interesting how the Police have only stated the officers are being treated as witnesses, nothing to say if they are still on active duty/suspended etc.

MissAdventure Mon 01-Jun-26 11:45:23

I did read somewhere about resignations connected to this case, but well, who knows.

For some reason this has really upset me; the thought of having people around, and nobody to at least try to comfort the poor chap.

twaddle Mon 01-Jun-26 12:17:02

MissAdventure

I did read somewhere about resignations connected to this case, but well, who knows.

For some reason this has really upset me; the thought of having people around, and nobody to at least try to comfort the poor chap.

I've also read that they've resigned.

I hope they haven't been intimidated by this character. Their identity is none of his business.

twaddle Mon 01-Jun-26 12:18:40

I read (maybe misinformation) that they were all inexperienced officers.

MissAdventure Mon 01-Jun-26 12:20:03

I would have thought they may have been suspended until such time as the facts are known.

Maremia Mon 01-Jun-26 12:24:46

Why is Stephen Yaxley Lennon butting in?
Who was it he was found guilty of assaulting?

Sago Mon 01-Jun-26 12:26:49

If it is correct they have resigned and I stress this has only been rumoured then they can still be prosecuted, resignation does not offer immunity from criminal charges.

MissAdventure Mon 01-Jun-26 12:31:00

Thankfully!
Anyway, I suspect we may never find out the true facts of the case.

twaddle Mon 01-Jun-26 12:34:59

Sago

If it is correct they have resigned and I stress this has only been rumoured then they can still be prosecuted, resignation does not offer immunity from criminal charges.

Yes, they can (and should) be prosecuted if they did anything wrong. The public still doesn't know exactly what happened, which is why the speculation on social media (fanned by TR) is outrageous.

twaddle Mon 01-Jun-26 12:35:45

Maremia

Why is Stephen Yaxley Lennon butting in?
Who was it he was found guilty of assaulting?

Because he thinks he's more important than the law.

eazybee Mon 01-Jun-26 12:38:42

I am appalled by the thought of the murderer standing by, knowing he had stabbed Nowak and that he was fighting for his life, and saying nothing.

Not too impressed by this statement issued by a leading figure in the UK Sikh federation, who told the BBC the community has been "demonised" after a university student was killed by a Sikh man using a religious knife. Dabinderjit Singh claimed the Sikh community had seen a "huge increase in hate crime" since the trial.

Given the political environment, that rhetoric has made Sikhs really think 'why are we being targeted, said Singh.
Because this could happen to any community - an individual could break the law and murder someone but you wouldn't demonise that entire community
After the trial, the UK Sikh Federation wrote to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood calling for anti-Sikh hate crimes to be recorded in a similar way to those against Jews .and Muslims.
From the BBC website. If it included an expression of concern about the victim it wasn't published.

twaddle Mon 01-Jun-26 12:51:47

Why aren't you impressed by the statement, eazybee? It's probably true that Sikhs have been targeted. They certainly have on social media, although a number of posters are a little confused and want to deport all Muslims confused. It wasn't too long ago that a Sikh girl was sexually abused because the attacker thought she was a Muslim.

sundowngirl Mon 01-Jun-26 13:39:27

Twaddle - I think it is quite obvious why eazybea wasn't impressed by the statement.......
It was there was no expression of concern for the victim.

Did you not read what she wrote????

saintpiran Mon 01-Jun-26 15:14:20

It tortures me that the last words that poor lad heard came from the police, no doubt shouting false accusations, and not being able to reply because he was dying.
Can't imagine how his family are coping with this image.

LemonJam Mon 01-Jun-26 15:19:22

sundowngirl

Twaddle - I think it is quite obvious why eazybea wasn't impressed by the statement.......
It was there was no expression of concern for the victim.

Did you not read what she wrote????

sundowngirl- why are you having a go at Twaddle?

The Sikh Federation did in fact express concern about Henry's life being tragically cut short. Maybe Eazybee has not taken the time to read the statement in full- easily available on line:

Sikh federation statement 28 May 2026

"Today the court has found Vickum Digwa guilty of the murder of Henry Novak and his mother guilty of assisting an offender. Henry's life has tragically been cut short by a moment of madness by an individual for which there can be no excuses. The jury heard evidence that the incident was preceded by an altercation and allegations of racial abuse, but ultimately rejected Vickrum Digwa's claim of self-defence. Prosecuting counsel told the jury that, in the prosecution's case, the incident was not about Sikhism or racism, but about the unlawful killing of Henry. Nonetheless, the wider Sikh community has unacceptably faced considerable abuse and hate during the trial as many do not understand the law, the significance of the Kirpan or the responsibility associated with wearing a Kirpan.

The actions of police officers who handcuffed the victim just before he died has not helped and given an opportunity for many to criticise the police, but it has also unnecessarily stirred up community hatred. Now the trial is over we want to make absolutely clear the law only provides fully practising Sikhs with a defence under the law to wear a Kirpan for religious reasons. If a Kirpan or a bladed item is used aggressively in an act of violence the defence under the law for a Kirpan does not apply and it is deemed an offensive weapon. We understand in this case the weapon that may have been used was not the normal Kirpan worn by fully practising Sikhs. This nuance is critically important and may not have been explained or understood by those asked to give evidence in this case.
This was an isolated incident, the Sikh community is committed to promoting greater understanding and ensuring lessons are learned.

Fully practising Sikhs who wear a Kirpan should continue to recognise the serious responsibility that accompanies it, together with the limited legal protection that exists for wearing it for genuine religious purposes. We will be ensuring it is understood that anyone simply possessing a weapon with the intent to use it to cause unlawful violence carries a maximum sentence of up to seven years following the recent Crime and Policing Act 2026 coming into effect a few weeks ago".

LemonJam Mon 01-Jun-26 15:22:31

As for T Robinson stirring up trouble and hatred online when even the prosecuting council, on behalf of the Crown actually told the court *the incident was not about Sikhism or racism, but about the unlawful killing of Henry*- he should be ashamed of himself.

LemonJam Mon 01-Jun-26 15:26:17

saintpiran

It tortures me that the last words that poor lad heard came from the police, no doubt shouting false accusations, and not being able to reply because he was dying.
Can't imagine how his family are coping with this image.

I agree saitpiran. That image will haunt them. I don't think it will help the family in any way whatsoever to circulate this image on line by way of releasing police body cam footage either, as some have called for.

The murderer has been found guilty and the IOPC investigation is ongoing. The family deserves some peace, respite, and room to grieve with privacy and respect.

MissAdventure Mon 01-Jun-26 15:33:00

Sentencing is due around now, I believe.