Vigil and tributes planned to mark one year since Nottingham Attacks
People from across the city will come together to remember the lives of Grace O'Malley-Kumar, Barnaby Webber and Ian Coates
Last updated 13th Jun 2024
People from across Nottingham are set to come together to remember the lives of Grace O'Malley-Kumar, Barnaby Webber and Ian Coates, one year on since the Nottingham Attacks.
On June 13th 2023, the county was rocked to the core after University of Nottingham students Grace O'Malley-Kumar and Barnaby Webber and school caretaker Ian Coates, were fatally stabbed by Valdo Calocane.
A number of roads were closed and there was a huge police presence across Nottingham, as the city got to grips with what happened.
That week, a number of vigils were held - including at the University of Nottingham and in Old Market Square, where thousands of people gathered together to hear from the families of Grace, Barnaby and Ian.
Now, one year on, communities are set to come together once again in a show of strength and to remember those who lost their lives - with a vigil planned at the University of Nottingham later today.
Friends and family of former students Grace O'Malley-Kumar and Barnaby Webber are expected to be in attendance.
What happened on June 13th 2023?
Valdo Calocane fatally stabbed 19-year-old university students Mr Webber and Ms O'Malley-Kumar as they walked home from a night-out in the early hours of June 13, last year, in what prosecutors described as an "uncompromisingly brutal" attack.
He then went on to stab Mr Coates, a 65-year-old school caretaker, and stole his van which he used to knock down three pedestrians - Wayne Birkett, Marcin Gawronski and Sharon Miller - in Nottingham city centre before being arrested.
He declined to give toxicology samples and gave no comment in police interview.
See a timeline of what happened when on June 13th last year
4AM: Police called in early hours
Police called to Ilkeston Road after two people found dead.
Soon after 4AM: Officers called to another incident on Milton Street, where a van had attempted to run over three people
Soon after 4AM: A man was also found dead on Magdala Road.
9:30AM: Man arrested
Nottinghamshire Police release a statement saying a 31-year-old man has been arrested.
Chief Constable Kate Meynell said: "This is an horrific and tragic incident which has claimed the lives of three people.
"We believe these three incidents are all linked and we have a man in custody."
10AM: Tributes start pouring in
Tributes start pouring in from politicians, including Prime Minister Rishi Sunak who said: "I want to thank the police and emergency services for their ongoing response to the shocking incident in Nottingham this morning."
I am being kept updated on developments. The police must be given the time to undertake their work.
My thoughts are with those injured, and the family and loved ones of those who have lost their lives."
2:30PM: Police issue update
Nottinghamshire Police issue a second statement, saying no other people were being investigated in connection with the attacks. They add police were keeping an 'open mind' over the motive of the attacks.
4:15PM: Uni of Notts confirm student deaths
The University of Nottingham issue a statement confirming the two people killed on Ilkeston Road were students at the University. Tributes begin pouring in from other universities across the UK.
5PM: Vigil held at St Peter's Church
A vigil is held at St Peter's Church. Around 400 students attend, some with flowers, to pay their respects.
5:30PM: Chief Constable Kate Meynell speaks to the press
Nottinghamshire Police Chief Constable Kate Meynell confirms the three people killed were all stabbed to death, and two of the victims were 19-years-old.
She confirms the van which drove at members of the public was stolen from the third victim - a man in his 60s that was found dead on Magdala Road.
The van was then stopped on Maple Street where a man was tasered and detained by officers on suspicion of murder.
8PM: Students named
19-year-old Barnaby Webber and Grace O'Malley-Kumar are named as the two students from the Uni of Nottingham who were killed on Ilkeston Road.
(14th June) 11:30AM: Third victim named
The third victim, who was killed on Magdala Road, is named as Ian Coates - a school caretaker in his 60s.
What happened to Calocane?
Calocane was sentenced to an indefinite hospital order in January 2024, after admitting the manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility of Barnaby Webber, Grace O'Malley-Kumar and Ian Coates, and the attempted murder of three others.
Calocane's sentencing hearing was told that multiple medical experts concluded he had paranoid schizophrenia, with the court hearing he had several interactions with mental health services in the months before the attacks.
He was sentenced by Mr Justice Turner to an indefinite hospital order and made subject to further restrictions if he is ever discharged, which must be approved by the Justice Secretary.
The sentenced was referred to the Court of Appeal by the Attorney General, but senior judges later ruled the punishment wasn't "unduly lenient".
Concerns and let-downs
In March this year, the Care Quality Commission highlighted "ongoing concerns" at the trust where Valdo Calocane was treated for his paranoid schizophrenia, before he carried out the Nottingham Attacks last summer.
Around the same time, the families of Grace, Barnaby and Ian learned they could've been "better supported" during Valdo Calocane's trial, following a review of the Crown Prosecution Service's actions.
Anthony Rogers, chief inspector of His Majesty's Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI), also called on the Government to "to consider amending the homicide law, review the support provided to victims of crime in serious cases such as this, and provide greater clarity about the role of victims in the criminal justice system."
Earlier this year, Nottinghamshire Police were also placed into special measures and told to "urgently produce an improvement plan" by a watchdog - though a watchdog spokeswoman said it was not related to the force's handling of Calocane.