Public Inquiry Set for Nottingham Stabbing Tragedy
A public inquiry will probe the shocking stabbing deaths of three people by Valdo Calocane in Nottingham last June. The inquiry will focus on the failures in care and treatment surrounding Calocane, who had paranoid schizophrenia.
Missed Signals and Care Failures
An internal review unearthed serious errors by healthcare professionals in handling Calocane’s condition. Despite his diagnosis, he was known to have stopped taking his medication. The review suggested he could have been detained under the Mental Health Act given the clear risks.
Calocane’s family revealed doctors warned them of his dangerous condition, with one saying he was serious enough to kill someone. Earlier this year, Calocane admitted manslaughter on grounds of diminished responsibility and was detained indefinitely.
June 2023: Triple Stabbing Horror in Nottingham
- On June 13, 2023, Calocane stabbed 19-year-old students Barnaby Webber and Grace O’Malley-Kumar after a night out.
- He then fatally attacked 65-year-old Ian Coates.
Victims’ Families Demand Judge-Led Inquiry
After talks with Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Attorney General Richard Hermer, families secured confirmation of a public inquiry.
“Following meetings with the Attorney General and Health Secretary, we are pleased to have confirmation that a public inquiry will take place. We urge it to be statutory and judge-led,” said the families in a joint statement.
The relatives stressed the need for “full organisational and individual accountability” to stop such horrors from ever happening again.
Care Quality Commission Flags Serious Concerns
The Care Quality Commission’s review slammed Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust for downplaying key risk factors and poor communication with Calocane’s family, who had repeatedly voiced concerns.
Calls for Swift, Tough Action
Calocane’s brother, Elias, backed the families’ demands for an immediate inquiry. Speaking to the BBC’s Panorama, he warned: “We need strong recommendations now. Waiting years to act is not an option.”
Alarmingly, a psychiatrist warned three years before the killings that Calocane “could end up killing someone.” His family only received the 300-page medical report after the sentencing.
Indefinite Hospital Order for Calocane
In January, Calocane was handed an indefinite hospital order after admitting manslaughter due to his mental illness. Prosecutors accepted his not-guilty pleas to murder based on expert diagnoses of paranoid schizophrenia.
The Department of Health and Social Care and the Attorney General’s office have been approached for comment on the upcoming inquiry.
The public inquiry aims to hold all accountable and push for vital reforms to prevent future tragedies.
