A MOVING visit took place at Grays Sikh Gudwara temple recently when members of the Sikh faith offered words of condolence and sympathy to the mother of local teenager Henry Nowak, who was murdered by a young Sikh man in Southampton last year.

Leaders of the local Sikh community in Thurrock said Henry's murder "should never divide our community" after the meeting.

18-year-old Henry, from Chafford Hundred, was stabbed to death as he walked home after a night out in Southampton on 3 December.

His killer, Vickrum Digwa, 23, was jailed for life with a minimum term of 21 years in June.

In a statement, members of the Grays Gurdwara said they contacted Nowak's mother, Lucy Ross, to offer their "deepest sympathies, support and solidarity".

Sikh leaders in Southampton have described a backlash against the faith in the wake of the University of Southampton student's murder.

Digwa killed Nowak with a 21cm (8in) blade that he said he carried because of his faith, and he later lied to police, telling them the teenager had racially abused him.

The victim was handcuffed by police as he lay dying at the scene. It took eight minutes for officers to realise he had been stabbed.

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Henry was known to many Sikh worshippers in Grays as he worked part-time at a supermarket close to the Gurdwara where mum Lucy met with local leders with her partner, David Stevenson.

"We also shared with the family our deep sadness regarding the circumstances surrounding Henry's final moments and stand with them in their desire to seek understanding, dignity and justice," Grays Gurdwara said in a statement.

"Everyone present at the meeting was united in the belief that Henry's tragic loss should never divide our community but should instead bring us closer together in compassion, respect and unity."

Speaking after the sentencing, Henry's father Mark Nowak called for people to not exploit or politicise his death, a message backed by Thurrock MP Jen Craft.

"We want to use Henry's heartbreaking story to make change for the better," he said.

"We do not want his death to be used to create further division, hatred, or tension. We want his story to make our streets safer for everyone."

The prison term Digwa received has been referred to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.

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The case will be heard at a later date.