Nottingham victim's brother lost 'best thing' as killer sentenced - updates

Calocane 'deserves treating and can be treated', court told

Finishing his mitigation, Peter Joyce KC, representing Valdo Calocane, said that: "Of course he destroyed these lives. It (mental illness) destroyed their lives and his life is destroyed too. He deserves treating. He can be treated.

“It is very unlikely that for very, very many years he will see other than the inside of a secure mental hospital.”

Submitting that a hospital order should be passed on Calocane, Mr Joyce told the court: “We are not asking for a soft option. All four psychiatrists on the facts of this case have come to the same conclusion as to his treatment and the protection of the public long-term.”

Being confined in a hospital such as Ashworth, Broadmoor or Rampton was “no easy option for a man who, before this disease stalked him down” had been a man of impeccable character, his lawyer concluded.

Proceedings have finished for today

Proceedings have finished for the second day and will continue tomorrow.

Mr Justice Turner will hand Calocane his sentence then and he will offer his sentencing remarks as well.

Nottingham killer will be sentenced tomorrow

Valdo Calocane will be sentenced tomorrow from 11.30am, Mr Justice Turner has said.

Calocane had been 'doing his best to be a worthwhile member of society'

Valdo Calocane had been "doing his best to be a worthwhile member of soceity" the court was told this afternoon.

Striking teacher forced to take a second job to pay bills ahead of mass walkout

In mitigation, Mr Joyce KC said that the attack was down to his mental illness and that Calocane was "hard working" and had never claimed beneifts.

He also said it was clear that, given his mental health and the warrant out for him, Calocane should not have been on the streets of Nottingham.

NottinghamshireLive reported Mr Joyce KC added: "He put himself through university, he was doing his best to be a worthwhile member of society. By the time June 2023 came about, he was wanted on a warrant in this city for nine months for assaulting a police officer and what was this officer doing? Trying to detain him under the Mental Health Act.

"Is this all his fault? Is this evidence of any planning or a bad mind or does it all point one way and one way only? That he should not have been out on the streets of Nottingham in June 2023 and that he was, was not his fault. This was a man who was seriously mentally ill. This case is very simple - 'I was ordered to do this by the voices in my head'. I'm aware what I am saying is not popular in certain quarters but that's a fair analysis."

Grace O'Malley-Kumar had her whole life ahead of her (Facebook)

Calocane is before judge for manslaughter, not murder, court reminded

Mr Joyce KC has reminded the court that Calocane isn't being done for murder, but manslaugther.

This is after the prosecution accepted his not guilty to murder and guilty to manslaughter plea.

Mr Joyce KC has started his mitigation and has begun by reminding the judge that there are very few killers or criminals currently serving whole life sentences, where "life means life". he said: "Whole life sentences are reserved for murder. This man is not before you for murder, this man is before you for manslaughter."

The KC added: “Schizophrenia is a well-established, long-established mental disease that can strike anyone and will strike 1% of the population through no fault of their own.

“The clearest evidence in this case is available… it (the mental illness) started in late 2019 and he was diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic in May 2020. No fabrication, no exaggeration, no concoction – this unwanted visitor to his life hit him. That’s the fact.”

Tributes left for the two students at Djanogly Terrace, at the university they had attended (Tom Maddick / SWNS)

Judge faces two sentencing choices, court hears

The prosecution has said that the judge sentencing Valdo Calocane faces a "stark choice" in sentencing.

They said that they could impose a "hybrid" life sentence with a hospital direction or a hospital order under the Mental Health Act.

Prosecutor Karim Khalil KC said Calocane, who is currently a patient at the Ashworth high security psychiatric hospital on Merseyside, had been assessed by three experts, who agreed that he was suffering from paranoid schizophrenia when he stabbed to death three victims.

Accepting that abnormality of mind contributed to Calocane committing the offences, Mr Khalil told Mr Justice Turner: “Although (Calocane’s) responsibility has been diminished it has not been extinguished.

“The intention of violence on his part appears to have subsisted for a considerable period of time. By the evening of the 12th of June at least, he had already formed the settled intention to kill.”

Tributes left at the University of Nottingham after two of its students were killed last year (Tom Maddick / SWNS)

Calocane has 'voices in his head', court hears

The third psychiatrist to give evidence, Dr Ross Mirvis, who is currently treating Valdo Calocane at Ashworth Hospital, said he suffered from voices in his head.

At the hospital, he can only see visitors, such as lawyers, through glass due to the potential danger he poses to others. Peter Joyce KC, for Calocane, said: "He told you the voices in his head were a mixture of male and female?"

The doctor replied: "Correct." Mr Joyce asked: "They (the voices) could be insulting, telling him to fight hospital staff?" He replied: "He said that at times."

Mr Joyce said: "He told you the 2023 attacks happened because the voices said if he did not do as he was told they would kill his family?" Dr Mirvis replied: "Yes."

Court adjourned

Court has been adjourned until 2pm by Mr Justice Turner.

Killer was wanted on warrant for emergency worker assault at time of attack

Valdo Calocane was "unlawfully at large" and wanted on warrant for an assault of an emergency worker at the time of the killings last year.

It isn't clear when or where the alleged assault took place. But in the lead up to the killings, Calocane had begun hiding things from his mental health team as well.

Forensic psychiatrist Dr Nigel Blackwood said of the period leading up to the killings: "He continued to believe that this was not, in his words, a natural illness, but that he was subject to interference by malign forces. He concealed symptoms from his (mental health) team, he evaded their care and he did not trust them."

Asked to comment on whether Calocane was still hearing voices due to his illness, Dr Blackwood added: “I understand that they have reduced in intensity and frequency… but they are still there.”

The court was also told Calocane believed he was controlled by radio and sonic control, subjects which he studied during his degree course at Nottingham University.

A prison van transporting Calocane to court last year (PA)

Calocane likely to be 'detained for decades to come'

Valdo Calocane will likely be held "for decades to come" his defence psychiatrist has said.

Dr Leo McSweeney, the defence's psychiatrist, has given evidence to the hearing. He has referred to Calocane as Adam Mendes, the alternative name the defendant now identifies as.

He was asked by Mr Joyce: "Do you ever envisage it being safe for this man to be discharged?" He replied: "I think that Mr Mendes is going to be detained for decades to come and I can't envisage his release without intensive post-release management."

Members of the public take part in a vigil in Old Market Square, Nottingham, two days after the attack (PA)

Calocane 'hid in the shadows' waiting to attack uni students

Valdo Calocane "hid in the shadows" waiting for the two university students before he attacked them with a knife and killed them.

On the final day in court today, prosecutor Karim Khalil said Valdo Calocane “knew what he was about to do” as he waited in the shadows to attack Barnaby Webber and Grace O’Malley-Kumar from behind.

During submissions about psychiatric evidence being considered by the court, Mr Khalil said: “He hid, as we know, in the shadows. What he did was wait in the shadows until the two students walked past, and he followed them from behind.

“He plainly knew what he was about to do.”

Prior to the fatal stabbing of van driver Ian Coates, Mr Khalil said, Calocane had caused the 65-year-old “to come from his vehicle” to be attacked. “It is plain he conducted himself in a purposeful way,” the Crown’s barrister added. “It is clear that his dangerousness is heightened by virtue of his ability to diminish or conceal that which he is actually doing.”

Valdo Calocane

Calocane tried to hand himself in to MI5 during 'desperate episode'

Valdo Calocane, the court heard today, suffered from a treatment-resistant form of schizophrenia.

Dr Blackwood cautioned it would be "many, many years" until he could ever be released into the community and if he were to go prison, there would be no obligation for him to take his medication.

Peter Joyce KC, for Calocane, said: "This defendant has a form of schizophrenia that is treatment resistant?" Dr Blackwood replied: "That's right."

Mr Joyce said: "That means he is most likely to be put on the most intense form of drug treatment to see if something can be done to alleviate this?" The doctor said: "That's right." Mr Joyce said that on May 31, 2021, two years before what he called "this desperate episode," Calocane tried to surrender himself to MI5.

He asked the doctor: "You know that he surrendered himself to MI5 at their HQ essentially to stop them controlling him?" Dr Blackwood replied: "That's right."

The family of Ian Coates speak during a vigil held in Old Market Square, Nottingham city centre two days after the attack (Joseph Raynor/ Nottingham Post)

Calocane 'deeply sorry for his crimes and agreed families needed justice'

Valdo Calocane was said to have been "deeply sorry for the crimes and the families' lost loved ones and that the families needed justice", the court heard today.

It came from a psychiatric report written by Dr Blackwood, in which "the crimes" refer to Calocane killing three innocent people.

The prosecutor highlighted the apology and Dr Blackwood confirmed it had been said to him. Prosecutor Karim Khalil KC said: “He said he was deeply sorry for the crime and for the families’ loss of their loved ones. He said, quote ‘they needed justice, without that grief will never heal’.

“He said he now could not imagine doing such a thing but was keen to ensure people knew he was a targeted individual and suffered torture from technology.”

Dr Blackwood said: “Yes, he says he has been interfered with since 2019 and heard voices, both within his head and also as if they are in outside external spaces.”

The funeral of student Barnaby Webber (SWNS)

Calocane being held in high-security psychiatric hospital

Valdo Calocane has been held in a high-security psychiatric hospital ever since his arrest.

The killer is currently at Ashworth Hospital, ten miles north-east of Liverpool. At court today, Dr Nigel Blackwood, a professor of forensic psychiatry, gave evidence.

He provided a 27 page long expert report and in it spoke on how Calocane had been out of touch with mental health support for almost 12 months leading up to the attack.

Dr Blackwood's report recommended a hospital order, because of the "continuing nature of the risks to others that he poses". If a hospital order is passed, Calocane would likely remain at Ashworth Hospital and it would be "many, many years" before he is released back into the community.

A mourner holds an Order of Service as they gather outside the funeral of Grace O'Malley-Kumar at Westminster Cathedral, London (PA)

Sentencing to take place today

Today, Valdo Calocane will be sentenced after his pleas of not guilty to murder and guilty to manslaughter were accepted yesterday.

The court will also hear psychology reports on Calocane, who has a history of mental illnesses, and submissions from Peter Joyce KC, on behalf of the defendant.

Prosecution argues for minimum 30 years in jail

The prosecution has argued that Valdo Calocane should face a minimum sentence of 30 years in jail.

The prosecutor has argued that the culpability of what Calocane did was high and the harm in category one of the sentencing guidelines - the highest it can be.

He said: "That would mean a lengthy starting point of 35 years and a range between 30 and 40 years."

Killer Valdo Calocane (PA)

Final impact statement read by brother who lost 'best thing in my life'

This morning, the final victim impact statement was read out by Charlier Webber, Barnaby's brother.

In a video played in court, he said: "When I first learned about what happened I wanted to set the world on fire. I was angry with everyone, angry with Barney, but I now realise my anger was really pride. He stood his ground and died being the person who he was, a hero.

"My hero. He was the best thing that ever happened in my life and when he died it not only took him but it also took a large part of myself."

David and Emma Webber, the parents of Barnaby (Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)

Isn't known when Calocane formed intent to kill

As day two beings, the court heard that it wasn't clear when Calocane formed an intention to kill.

The prosecution said: "By the evening of June 12 he had already formed an intention to kill but it is not known if that was when he was (earlier) in London, on a train back to Nottingham from London or when he arrived back in Nottingham.

"When he did, he changed his shoes, discarded the holdall he had, but he did not assault people as he walked through the city. What he did was to wait in the shadows until the two students (Miss O'Mally-Kumar and Mr Webber) walked past him and he followed them from behind and attacked them from behind when they were at their most vulnerable."

Court artist sketch by Elizabeth Cook of Valdo Calocane, 32, appearing at Nottingham Crown Court (PA)

Grace's bravery praised as family calls for action on knife crime 'epidemic'

Grace's brother has spoken of his sister's bravery as she tried to save her friend in his dying moments.

Brother James, 17, said: "Grace's last moments were in pain and that's something that really hurts me to think about and she was a hero, that was her character." The teenager also told Sky News in a sit-down interview: "She tried her best to save her friend. That was how Grace lost her life in the most vulnerable manner.

"She would never leave a friend, never, and that was very evident from her last moments. She passed fighting." Ahead of Calocane's sentencing on Wednesday, the family has also called for tougher action on the knife crime "epidemic".

Father Dr Sanjoy Kumar said: "It's at epidemic proportions and yet lawmakers seem to be doing nothing about it. I think we really need to start looking at knife crime. Knives are not an offensive weapon, they are a lethal weapon and as such, I think laws need to be changed and ultimately there must be a deterrent."

Sentencing adjourned to tomorrow

The sentencing of Valdo Calocane has been adjourned until Wednesday at 10.30am, with evidence expected to be given to the court by psychiatrists. Defence KC Peter Joyce is also expected to make submissions on behalf of the defendant.

Grace's father brands killer 'cowardly' and 'calculating'

Grace O’Malley-Kumar’s father, Dr Sanjoy Kumar, told Valdo Calocane: “Picking on children and the elderly is a cowardly and unforgivable act. And your acts of cowardice should be highlighted to the world.”
He added that “you casually walked away, leaving my child lying in the street,” branding him "a cold, calculating and cowardly killer".

Ian Coates was 'weeks away from retirement' reveals son

James Coates, the son of victim Ian Coates, said his father was just five months away from retirement before he was killed.
He said: “He didn’t get the chance because a selfish monster decided to go on a spree killing. We shouldn’t be here, we should be at work but we can’t because he killed our father.

“You can’t imagine how hard it is to take the phone call that their dad has been murdered in a killing spree. To have a life taken so horrifically is something you will never come to terms with. The effect this has had on us cannot be put into words.
The reason for our very existence, gone.”

NHS doctor of 30 years describe 'pride' when daughter followed in his footsptes

Grace O'Malley-Kumar's dad, Dr Sanjoy Kumar, described his pride in court when he daughter followed in his footsteps to study medicine.

Dr Kumar had worked in the NHS for over 30 years, latterly as a forensic medical examiner and lecturer. He told the court room: "When she decided to study medicine I was so proud. She aspired to be in the Royal Army Medical Corps and then in the NHS, she had a moral code she used to beat people with. She was my best friend and the love of my life and I thought I was the luckiest man in the world having my daughter and son.

"You planned your attack, you bought multiple knives and picked children to attack. Our children. Then you went and attacked an elderly man, the weakest members of society and that is cowardly and unforgiveable. You showed yourself to be a cold, calculating and cowardly killer, you brought violence to our shores and to our doors."

Grace O'Malley-Kumar's father, Dr Sanjoy Kumar, and mother, Sinead O'Malley, leave court (Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)

Mum of student 'butchered' by killer left 'incapable' of continuing job

Grace O'Malley-Kumar's mum Sinead has spoken to the packed courtroom, telling of the lasting impacts her daughter's death has had on her.

She told how she works as a consultant anaesthetist in London but since her daughter's death has struggled in her working life.

She said: "How she was butchered at his hands has left me incapable of continuing my role in an operating theatre. Intrusive images of what happened to my baby girl haunt me, she was never going to survive an attack from a man that was determined to kill.

"My beautiful daughter has had her future stolen. You have shown no remorse, you understood right from wrong, you have violence in your soul. I do not have room in my heart for forgiveness."

A mourner holds an Order of Service as they gather outside the funeral of Grace O'Malley-Kumar at Westminster Cathedral (PA)

Teen brother of 'hero' university student said she will 'continue to guide me through life'

The teenage brother of 'hero' Grace O'Malley-Kumar said his big sister's advice would continually guide him throughout his life.

James, 17, spoke in court, and said he sleeps with his sister's University of Nottinghamshire t-shirt on his pillow.

In his moving statement he said: "She was not just my sister but my best friend who always had my best interests at heart. Her advice will continue to guide me throughout my life, I was beyond proud of what my sister achieved in her 19 years. While you rot away we are left, as a family, with a gaping hole in our lives, you have single-handidly ruined my life."

Grace O'Malley-Kumar's brother James and her friend Alex Simpson (Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)

Knife attack victim had been planning for the future after university

Barnaby Webber had been planning for a future beyond university, before he was tragically killed, his father said in court today.

David Webber also bravely read his own statement in court. He said his son had wanted to serve in the armed services after he finished his studies.

Mr Webber said: "Barney was a vibrant loving boy growing into a man. He loved coming to Nottingham University and I loved coming here to see him. Due to your unbelievably savage actions I will never see him again and I will fight to my last breath to get justice for him."

The funeral of student Barnaby Webber (SWNS)

Victim's mum looked at her son's killer as she spoke in court

Barnaby Webber's mum Emma bravely read her own victim impact statement in court, and looked at her son's killer, Calocane, all the time as she did.

She told how all she has left of her son is a lock of his hair she carries around her neck every day.

She said: "Barney did not lose his life in June 13, it was taken from him. Stolen in the most vicious, unprovoked, senseless and evil way imagineable, murdered by a monster who sits in this court today."

Barnaby Webber (PA)

Court hears details of moment brave officers arrest Calocane

After Valdo Calocane tried to ram his final two victims, in a junction, he then drove along two roads before stopping at a nearby junction.

Various officers were following the van, including PC Whysall. When he drove out and saw the van "stationary" ahead of him, he at first thought there was no one in the vehicle, before he saw a male walking along the road and moved to detain him.

The prosecution told the court: "However, he realised the van had started to move so he went back to the van as an armed response vehicle arrived and pulled alongside the driver’s door. PC Whysall opened the passenger door and found the defendant in the driver’s seat holding a large dagger in his hand.

"The Officer shouted for him to drop the dagger, but he didn't so the taser was activated. He was joined by PC Bower who also discharged his taser, following which the defendant dropped the dagger into the footwell."

Flowers on the steps of Nottingham Council House after three people were killed by Calocane (PA)

Beloved dad Ian Coates suffered 15 stab wounds

Ian Coates, a caretaker at a local school who had been on his way to work when Valdo Calocane attacked, suffered 15 stab wounds, the court heard.

These included defensive wounds to his hand and he was declared dead at the scene.

A pathologist later concluded the wounds had been inflicted "at the severe end of the scale".

School caretaker Ian Coates, 65, was killed on his way to work

Last moments of innocent Nottingham students before they were stabbed to death

Video captured the heartbreaking last moments of the two Nottingham students before they were stabbed to death by Valdo Calocane.

Grace O'Malley-Kumar and Barnaby Webber were walking home after a night out, when Calocane attacked them. They look as if they didn't have a care in the world as they strolled down the Nottingham city centre road after going to PRYZM nightclub.

At 3.59am Barnaby starts to walk backwards to face Grace as they appear to joke and giggle with one another. They seem to play around as they pass a car sales compound called Carlot. But the sweet innocent scene was about to end in bloodbath.

The two university students were seen walking home together