Henry Nowak's killer gets longer sentence: minimum 25 years instead of 21

A British court has made the sentence for the murderer of 18-year-old Henry Nowak longer. Vickrum Digwa can now apply for parole after at least 25 years, not 21.

Henry was a student with both Polish and British citizenship. His case has drawn attention in both countries.

What did the court decide?

The Court of Appeal, one of England's highest courts, ruled that Digwa's original sentence was "unduly lenient". Judges said it did not reflect the gravity of the murder.

Digwa, now 23, was given a life sentence. That part has not changed. What has changed is the minimum term, the time he must serve before he can even ask to be considered for release. It goes up from 21 to 25 years.

Digwa had also gone to the court himself. He argued that his sentence was excessive and asked for it to be cut. The judges refused.

Why was the sentence raised?

The case reached the Court of Appeal after the Attorney General (the government's chief legal adviser) challenged the original term as too lenient.

According to the reports of the ruling, the judges pointed to what Digwa did after the stabbing. They said he showed "incomprehensible cruelty" by filming and goading the teenager.

A minimum term is not the same as the full sentence. After serving it, Digwa can apply for release, but he is not guaranteed to get it.

What happened earlier?

Henry Nowak was fatally stabbed in an attack by Digwa. Digwa was later convicted of murder and given life with a minimum of 21 years. That term was then challenged as too lenient, which led to this week's ruling.

What's next?

The ruling replaces the earlier minimum term, so the new 25-year figure now stands. Digwa's own attempt to shorten his sentence has failed.

For Henry's family and for many people in Poland and Britain who followed the case, the decision brings a longer period behind bars for the person responsible for his death.