Killer who kicked gran to death and was told he'd 'never be released' is freed

31 January 2024 , 23:37

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Killer who kicked gran to death and was told he'd 'never be released' is freed

A killer given the same hospital order as schizophrenic Nottingham attacker Valdo Calocane spent just two years in a secure ward before being freed.

Humphrey Burke was given an indefinite hospital order for the manslaughter of a prison van attendant and grandmother who he kicked to death while on his way to court. But the 30-year-old having now been released has raised fears Calocane - who murdered three people during a knife rampage last summer - could also be aided by legal loopholes and soon be free.

Lorraine Barwell, 54, was killed by Burke in the summer of 2015 as she escorted him to be sentenced at Blackfriars Crown Court for arson and attempted robbery. Like the loved ones of Calocane's victims, her family were led to believe he would never be set free despite having avoided a full jury trial on murder charges.

But their worst fears have been realised with pictures showing him roaming in public unsupervised after just 24 months, including going grocery shopping and working out at a packed boxing gym in Oxford. He avoided prison with a psychiatric hospital sentence in January 2022 when prosecutors accepted his plea of guilty to manslaughter on the basis of diminished responsibility.

Humphrey Burke (PA)

Prison custody officer Lorraine Barwell (PA)

Calocane murdered students Barnaby Webber, Grace O'Malley Kumar, both 19, and caretaker Ian Coates, 65, on June 13 2023. He was sentenced to high-security secure hospital Ashworth. But his victims' families feel they have been “railroaded” into accepting his lesser manslaughter plea.

Baby boy has spent his life in hospital as doctors are 'scared' to discharge him

Speaking on behalf of the victims' families, Barnaby's mum Emma said after the sentence last week: “It’s enough to put the fear of God into us, that this monster Calocane could be out one day. It doesn’t matter if it’s three years, or even 20 or 30 years, he should never, never be let out. We strongly dispute the manslaughter sentence and this basically reaffirms everything we have feared all along.”

Tragic Serco employee Lorraine escorted Burke from his cell at London's Blackfriars crown court where he was due to be sentenced over a claw hammer attack at a Ladbrokes bookies. He kicked her to the ground and then with a second shattered her jaw and caused a brain haemorrhage.

Valdo Calocane stabbed three people to death in Nottingham city centre (PA)

Calocane was given an indefinite hospital order last week

The killer was deemed mentally unfit to stand trial and was sent to Broadmoor for treatment after a trial of facts ruled he caused Lorraine's death. By 2022, however, he was well enough to enter a plea and admitted manslaughter with diminished responsibility at the Old Bailey and given the indefinite order.

Those held at such facilities under sentencing guidelines can be considered for release at certain points if they show an improvement in their mental condition which is approved by a clinician and then a panel or the Justice Minister. Lorraine’s brother Paul Kirkley, 53, told the Sun: “We were led to believe Burke would never be let out but there he is...As soon as they get diminished [responsibility verdict], they are on an easy life. That’s not justice for my sister."

Emma Webber, mother of Barnaby Webber making a statement alongside relatives of the victims, outside Nottingham Crown Court (PA)

Health worker Paul added: “It’s the same for the poor families of those Nottingham victims — they are rightfully furious about what has gone on. They will now see this and be living in fear that the monster who took their family will be back on the streets in years. Like us, they’ve been told he’ll never be free but look what’s ­happened. My message to those families is keep pushing, push for the punishment he deserves."

It comes as seven reviews are ongoing into the handling of Calocane’s case. The Attorney General’s office is looking at whether his sentence was too lenient and the decision by prosecutors to accept manslaughter pleas. There are also two reviews into the mental health trust treating Calocane, two referrals to the Independent Office for Police Conduct and a College of Policing review.

Ryan Merrifield