Man charged with murder of Essex student stabbed in Southampton

A man has been charged with murder following the fatal stabbing of a university student.

Henry Nowak, 18, from Chafford Hundred, Essex, suffered a puncture wound to his chest and two to his leg in Belmont Road, Southampton, on 3 December at about 23:30 GMT. He died at the scene.

Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary said Vickrum Digwa, 22, of St Denys Road, Southampton had been charged with murder and possession of a bladed article in a public place.

A 52-year-old woman, Kiran Kaur, also of St Denys Road, has been charged with assisting an offender. Both are due to appear at Southampton Magistrates’ Court later.

A 51-year-old man, previously arrested on suspicion of murder, has been released on police bail pending further inquiries, police said.

A 26-year-old man, who had been arrested on suspicion of murder, has been released with no further action in relation to that offence, but has been bailed pending further inquiries over assisting an offender and a public order offence.

The family of Mr Nowak said he was in his first year at Southampton University and had been on a night out with his new football team mates but “devastatingly, he never made it home”.

Paying tribute, his family said: “Our hearts ache when we think of the bright future he had ahead of him, full of opportunity and adventures.

“There are no words to describe just how heartbroken we are that we will never get to see him grow and fulfil his awesome potential.

“We are so proud of him and all he achieved.”