16 June 2023 , 14:23
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A man charged on suspicion of murdering two students and a school caretaker in Nottingham has been pictured for the first time.
Valdo Calocane, 31, has been charged with three counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder.
Barnaby Webber and Grace Kumar, both 19, were stabbed to death while walking home from a night out in the early hours of Tuesday.
Calocane is also accused of stabbing to death Ian Coates, 65.
The suspect is then alleged to have run over two other pedestrians who are said to have suffered minor injuries.
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Calocane is a former University of Nottingham student who graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering last August.
Grace Juma was killed alongside Barnaby (Nottinghamshire Police)
Ian Coates was the third victim of the Nottingham incident (Miro Photography)Nottinghamshire Police referred this part of the attack to the IOPC, as a marked police car followed behind the suspect’s van for a short distance before it collided with the two pedestrians.
The further three charges of attempted murder relate to three members of the public struck by a van.
He will appear at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court tomorrow.
Chief Constable Kate Meynell, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “These charges are a significant development and arise as a result of our thorough investigation into these horrific incidents that occurred in our city.
"Our thoughts remain with the families and friends of all those affected by these attacks, and we will continue to provide support and reassurance.
"We would also ask people to respect the families’ wishes for privacy at this difficult time to allow them to grieve."
"This has been an incredibly sad time for our city and county, and we stand united with our communities as we come to terms with the effects of what has happened
"We are keenly aware of the deep emotion being felt surrounding these tragic events and the high level of interest, not only in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire but also across the whole country.
“However, posting prejudicial information online about an active case could amount to contempt of court and, in the most serious cases, have the potential to cause the collapse of a trial."
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It comes after the city of Nottingham came together to mourn the loss of Barnaby, Grace and Ian.
Nottingham fell silent for one minute at 6pm, with thousands gathering in the city’s main square.
Barnaby Webber was killed on Tuesday morning in Nottingham (PA)
Barnaby's brother at last night's vigil (Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)Barnaby's devastated mum Emma told 5,000 people in Old Market Square to “hold no hate” as she paid tribute to her son.
The family of school caretaker Ian Coates, who was stabbed to death in the attack as he drove to work, also attended the vigil.
Emma was accompanied by her husband, who placed his hand on his wife’s shoulder, and their son Charlie.
She said: “We stand here and we feel your love. We are united in grief and shock and disbelief.
“One day we will smile again, but it will take time.
The family of Grace Kumar at last night's vigil (Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)“Barney loved pesto pasta but hated cottage pie.
“He was obsessed with aeroplanes and he still carried a dream of being a pilot in the RAF one day.”
Addressing Barnaby directly, she said: “My beautiful, beautiful boy. You have mine, your dad and your brother’s heart forever.”
Emma embraced Grace’s mum Sinead before she gave an equally heart-wrenching speech.
Sinead, accompanied by her husband Sanjoy, described her daughter as her “treasure”.
The family of Barnaby Webber speak during a vigil held in Old Market Square, Nottingham city centre (Joseph Raynor/ Nottingham Post)“My beautiful baby girl wasn’t just beautiful on the outside, you must have seen her pictures, she was so beautiful on the inside,” she said.
“She wanted very few things in life, she wanted to be a doctor, she wanted to play hockey with her pals, she wanted to have fun.
“All they were doing was walking home, just walking home after a night-out.
“It just is truly so unfair but I’ll echo what my husband said - be kind to each other, look after each other, don’t have hate in your hearts.
“Say prayers for my baby girl.
“The magnitude of the grief here reflects the magnitude of the love, the love we had for her.”
Ian Coates’ devastated son James promised support to the families of Grace and Barnaby.
Wearing a shirt of his beloved Nottingham Forest, he thanked everybody for the “kind words” that have poured in about his father.
Support is available for anyone affected by Tuesday's attacks.
People can call Nottinghamshire Victim CARE on 0800 304 7575 or visit nottsvictimcare.org.uk. The helpline is open Monday to Friday, from 8am to 8pm, and Saturday, from 9am until 5pm.