Valdo Calocane’s Sentence Under Scrutiny at Court of Appeal
The Court of Appeal is gearing up to review the Attorney General’s push to change the sentence of Valdo Calocane. The 32-year-old, convicted of manslaughter and attempted murder, was handed an indefinite hospital order. His case has sparked controversy due to the complicated interplay of legal and medical factors.
Grim Crimes Shock Nottingham
Calocane was found guilty of manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility after killing three people: university students Barnaby Webber and Grace O’Malley-Kumar, both just 19, and Ian Coates. After stealing Coates’ van, he used it to deliberately run down three pedestrians in Nottingham last June. Prosecutors accepted Calocane’s guilty pleas in January, following medical evidence that he suffers from paranoid schizophrenia.
Sentence Called ‘Unduly Lenient’
Attorney General Victoria Prentis referred Calocane’s sentence to the Court of Appeal in February, claiming it was “unduly lenient.” The sentencing judge at Nottingham Crown Court, Mr Justice Turner, branded Calocane’s crimes “sickening” and imposed an indefinite stay in a high-security hospital, likely for life. He added that any potential release would need approval from the Justice Secretary or a Mental Health Tribunal.
Attorney General Seeks ‘Hybrid’ Sentence
Lawyers from the Attorney General’s Office are pushing for a “hybrid” sentencing order. This would see Calocane start his sentence in a hospital facility before moving to a traditional prison to serve the remainder. The Court of Appeal will decide if this is appropriate and set the minimum term Calocane must serve, with the Parole Board handling future release decisions.
Victims’ Families Demand Justice
The families of Calocane’s victims have voiced outrage at the sentence. Emma Webber, mother of Barnaby Webber, said in January: “True justice has not been served.” She criticised the manslaughter verdict, insisting the attacks were premeditated and should have been charged as murder, despite recognising Calocane’s mental illness.
Next Steps for Calocane’s Case
The appeal hearing is set for 10:30am on 1 at the Royal Courts of Justice before Lady Chief Justice Baroness Carr, Lord Justice Edis, and Mr Justice Garnham. The ruling will have substantial consequences for how courts handle cases involving serious crime and mental health issues.
