Vikrum Digwa, 23, was found guilty of murdering 18-year-old Henry Nowak in Southampton city centre last December, stabbing him six times with a ceremonial Sikh blade.Mr Nowak, a first-year finance student, did not know Digwa.

Immediately after the attack, Digwa falsely accused Mr Nowak of racial abuse, leading police officers to handcuff the fatally injured student, who subsequently collapsed and died.

This tragic misidentification has provoked significant criticism from MPs and public figures, with concerns raised over police judgement and training.Evidence now reveals Digwa’s fascination with weapons was longstanding.

A 2023 video shows him demonstrating 'Gatka', a traditional Sikh martial art, with his brother at a public event, despite concerns from the local Sikh community about his behaviour.

The court heard that Digwa maintained an extensive collection of weapons at home and described the murder weapon in affectionate terms during questioning.Hampshire Police have since apologised for wrongly arresting Mr Nowak, and investigations by the Independent Office for Police Conduct are ongoing.The case highlights serious issues in policing, particularly regarding assessment of claims and the handling of racially sensitive allegations.