Southampton MPs have spoken of their "heartbreak" for the family of murder victim Henry Nowak after his killer was convicted by a jury.
Vickrum Digwa was convicted of murder and possession of a bladed article in a public place by a jury on Thursday.
Henry, 18, a University of Southampton student from Chafford Hundred in Essex, was stabbed to death in Belmont Road, Portswood, on December 3, 2025, while walking home from a night out with friends and football teammates.
Southampton Test MP Satvir Kaur said the case had been "deeply upsetting" for the city.
She said: "My thoughts are with Henry Nowak’s family, friends and the community still mourning him. His murder was shocking and heartbreaking, and I am pleased the guilty verdict today means his family got justice for him.
"Everyone deserves to feel safe within our communities, and whoever breaks the law should feel the full extent of it."
Digwa, 23, was convicted of murder and possession of a bladed article in public at Southampton Crown Court yesterday.
His mother, Kiran Kaur, 53, was also convicted of assisting an offender after removing the weapon from the scene.
The case sparked national attention after a police officer, PC Parsons, initially handcuffed Henry while he was critically injured, after Digwa falsely claimed he had been the victim of a racist attack.
READ MORE: Hampshire police apology over arrest of Henry Nowak before death
Hampshire Constabulary has since apologised, and the force has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
Ms Kaur added that the case had raised "important questions" around knife crime and the police response, which she said "deserve answers".
Southampton Itchen MP Darren Paffey also paid tribute to Henry and his family following the verdict.
Satvir Kaur and Darren Paffey (Image: UGC/NQ)
He said: "Nothing can make up for the tragedy they have faced, but I hope they can take some comfort from the fact that justice has now been served, and that Henry’s killer and the person who helped remove the weapon from the scene are now facing the consequences of their actions."
Mr Paffey also said it was "right" that Hampshire Constabulary had apologised after Henry, a murder victim, was handcuffed before losing consciousness.
He added: "Carrying a blade in public is dangerous, and describing a weapon as 'ceremonial' is no defence when it is used to take a young man’s life."
