Independent review ordered into manslaughter plea of Valdo Calocane
The Attorney General and the PCC for Nottinghamshire Police have both ordered reviews into the Nottingham attacks
Last updated 30th Jan 2024
The Attorney General and Nottinghamshire's Police and Crime Commissioner have ordered independent reviews of the Crown Prosecution Service's handling of the Nottingham attacks, which killed three people last June.
It comes as the Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, promised the families of all three victims that "we will get the answers" after they met him yesterday (29 January) in 10 Downing Street.
Attorney General Victoria Prentis has ordered an inspection, which will look into the CPS's decision to accept triple killer Valdo Calocane's guilty pleas to manslaughter on the basis of diminished responsibility and whether it sufficiently consulted with the victims' families.
Valdo Calocane, 32, stabbed students Barnaby Webber, 19, Grace O'Malley-Kumar, 19, and school caretaker Ian Coates, 65, in Nottingham in the early hours of June 13 last year.
Last week, the killer was given a hospital order at his sentencing for manslaughter by diminished responsibility after the city's crown court heard he had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia.
Mr Webber's family described the hospital order as a "huge insult" and called for a public inquiry into the case.
A 'fait accompli' for the families
Speaking after the sentencing hearing last week, Mr Webber's mother Emma Webber said the bereaved families were "presented with a fait accompli that the decision had been made to accept manslaughter charges" when they met the CPS in November.
"At no point during the previous five-and-a-half-months were we given any indication that this could conclude in anything other than murder."
Ms Prentis said she ordered the urgent CPS review, to be carried out by His Majesty's Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate, "so we can properly investigate the concerns raised by the families".
The Prime Minister said independent investigations have been set up into Nottingham institutions' role in alleged missed opportunities to stop Calocane before his deadly stabbings.
Rishi Sunak hasn't ruled out an inquiry, but the Prime Minister says it will be triggered only is it's deemed to be necessary once the probes into the case have been concluded.
The Prime Minister's official spokesman said Mr Sunak "remains open to an inquiry" and pointed out that Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire police have referred themselves to the Independent Office for Police Conduct and the Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner has commissioned the College of Policing to do a "thorough review" into the policing response.
It comes after it emerged that police failed to arrest Calocane for allegedly attacking two people weeks before the stabbings.
College of Policing chief executive Chief Constable Andy Marsh said: "The work to commence this review will start immediately."
A special review has also been ordered into the mental health trust that treated him before the killings.
The review is expected to conclude by Easter
Ms Prentis said: "The senseless deaths of Barnaby Webber, Grace O'Malley-Kumar and Ian Coates have horrified the country.
"While nothing will bring their loved ones back, the families understandably want to understand what happened in this case.
"That's why I have asked the inspectorate to carry out a prompt and thorough review of CPS actions so we can properly investigate the concerns raised by the families in this devastating case."
The findings of the review are expected by Easter, with the Attorney General's Office to work with the CPS to ensure any recommendations are swiftly implemented.
A CPS spokesperson said: "We will fully engage with the review."
Ms Prentis is also considering whether judges should review the sentence after receiving a submission that it could be unduly lenient.
Nottinghamshire's PCC launches a formal review
The Police and Crime Commissioner for Nottinghamshire Police has also launched a formal review of the policing of the case, with Caroline Henry commissioning the Independent College of Policing to carry it out.
It comes as Calocane was wanted on an outstanding warrant at the time of the Nottingham attacks.
Commissioner Henry said: “My deepest sympathies are with the families of those who were killed and seriously injured by Valdo Calocane in this senseless attack.
“I am aware the families have some concerns about Nottinghamshire Police’s handling of this case. I take those concerns very seriously and as Police and Crime Commissioner it is my duty to scrutinise the force’s performance to ensure it provides the best possible public service and strives to make continuous improvements.
“The people of Nottinghamshire will rightly want reassurance that those who should be in the criminal justice system are found and dealt with swiftly.
“It is my intention to commission the College of Policing to conduct a thorough independent review to understand what has happened in this case and identify lessons learnt for Nottinghamshire Police.
“I would like to extend an invitation to any of the families of those impacted by these terrible crimes to help shape the scope of the investigation.
“I have spoken to Chief Constable Kate Meynell about my intention to commission this review and she has welcomed this course of action.”
PCC Caroline Henry is responsible for holding Nottinghamshire Police to account for delivering policing that is efficient and effective, along with ensuring the police are answerable to the communities they serve.