Nottingham Knife Rampage: Accused Pleads Guilty to Manslaughter, Denies Murder
Deadly Stabbing Shocks Nottingham
Valdo Calocane, 31, stands accused of a gruesome knife attack that left three dead in Nottingham last June. Today in court, he denied murdering 19-year-old students Barnaby Webber and Grace O’Malley-Kumar, plus 65-year-old school caretaker Ian Coates. Instead, Calocane pleaded guilty to manslaughter, claiming diminished responsibility due to mental illness.
The Fatal Attack
- Victims: Students Grace O’Malley-Kumar and Barnaby Webber were found fatally stabbed on Ilkeston Road. Ian Coates, 65, was also killed. His van was allegedly used to attack others afterwards.
- Attempted Murder Charges: Calocane admitted attempted murders of Sharon Miller, Marcin Gawronski, and Wayne Birkett.
Court Drama Unfolds
- Defendant’s Demeanour: Calocane appeared in court with heavy security and answered only as “Adam Mendes” when questioned.
- Prosecution: Karim Khalil KC revealed the Crown is still deciding on the manslaughter pleas.
- Defence: Peter Joyce KC argued Calocane’s violent acts were caused by extreme mental illness, not intent to kill.
Heartbroken Families Speak Out
- Barnaby’s Family: Remembered him as “a beautiful, brilliant, bright young man” destroyed by a “senseless murder.”
- Grace’s Family: Mourn their “truly wonderful and beautiful” daughter, whose loss is “irreplaceable.”
- Ian’s Sons: Said their father’s death “rocked everyone’s world” and was “completely undeserved.”
How the Crime Unfolded
- Scene of the Attack: Happened outside Theatre Royal. Police were called around 5.30am.
- Arrest: Calocane was caught near a shop on Bentinck Road, Forest Fields.
- Police Oversight: The Independent Office for Police Conduct confirmed police briefly spotted the vehicle connected to the attacks.
Next Steps: The Trial Continues
- Case Adjourned: The trial is paused until January 16, 2024.
- Background: Calocane is a former University of Nottingham student, though police say this has no link to the incident.
The victims’ families remain devastated as Calocane’s case plays out in court. The nation awaits justice in this chilling Nottingham attack.
