Palpable anger from Nottingham attack victims' families as they vow to continue fight

5 February 2025, 12:40 | Updated: 5 February 2025, 14:29

The anger was palpable among the family members of the Nottingham attack victims.

Sitting alongside the parents of Grace O'Malley-Kumar and the son of Ian Coates, Barnaby Webber's mother Emma declared "enough is enough".

Ms O'Malley-Kumar and Mr Webber, both 19, and Mr Coates, 65, were stabbed to death by Valdo Calocane before he attempted to kill three other people in June 2023.

Calocane, who had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, was sentenced to an indefinite hospital order after prosecutors accepted a plea of manslaughter following the killings.

Experts had agreed that Calocane's schizophrenia meant he wasn't fully responsible for his actions at the time of the stabbings.

Speaking outside court after sentencing in January 2024, Mr Coates' son James said Calocane had "got away with murder" while Mrs Webber said "true justice has not been served".

They also criticised the police, prosecutors and the NHS.

Now, the families say a 300-page report detailing catastrophic failures by mental health services in Nottingham has not delivered accountability for the deaths of their loved ones.

Instead it reveals how four times after being sectioned following episodes of increasing violence, Calocane was discharged back into the community. He was allowed to refuse long-lasting medication because he didn't like needles.

Grace's mother, Dr Sinead O'Malley-Kumar, said "as a consultant working in the NHS" she believes "accountability on an individual level is essential".

"If any of them knew that Valdo Calocane was going to go out and share student accommodation with their children, I suspect their choices may have changed," she said.

Read more:
Three officers investigated over their inquiries into Calocane
Special constable sacked after viewing footage of dying victims
Review into decision to accept Calocane's manslaughter pleas

The families will meet with government next week and are now demanding a meeting with the prime minister.

They spoke of the fight they have had to ensure the killings of their loved ones were not "brushed under the carpet".

Dr Sanjoy Kumar, Grace's father, described this report as a "watershed moment".

"We will not stop until we get justice for the Nottingham attacks," he said.

It's clear the battle against the system is taking a huge emotional toll. But what was also clear to everyone in the room is these families will not rest until they see action and accountability.

(c) Sky News 2025: Palpable anger from Nottingham attack victims' families as they vow to continue fight