Nottingham attacks: Victims' families condemn 'savage' killer

Ian Coates, Barnaby Webber and Grace O'Malley-Kumar died at the scene of the attacks

The loved ones of three people stabbed to death in Nottingham have faced their killer in court.

Valdo Calocane fatally attacked students Grace O'Malley-Kumar, Barnaby Webber and school caretaker Ian Coates on 13 June.

His pleas of manslaughter on the basis of diminished responsibility were accepted by prosecutors in a court hearing on Tuesday.

The families of all three victims condemned Calocane in court.

Ms O'Malley-Kumar's father Sanjoy and Mr Webber's father David both challenged Calocane in court

The court heard Calocane approached University of Nottingham students Ms O'Malley-Kumar and Mr Webber, both 19, in Ilkeston Road as they walked home from a night out in the early hours.

The 32-year-old stabbed Mr Webber and then turned on Ms O'Malley-Kumar when she tried to protect her friend.

Shortly afterwards the defendant went on to stab Mr Coates, 65, in a separate attack in Magdala Road, and stole his van, which he later drove at three pedestrians.

Addressing Calocane, Ms O'Malley's father Dr Sanjoy Kumar said: "Picking on children and the elderly is a cowardly and unforgivable act.

"And your acts of cowardice should be highlighted to the world."

Calocane was arrested shortly after the attacks

Praising his daughter, Dr Kumar added: "She bravely intervened. She would never leave a friend in adversity. It was not in her nature.

"She heroically and valiantly fought you. Like a hero she put herself in harm's way.

"But unfortunately because of the weapon you carried she stood no chance.

"You showed yourself to be a cold, cowardly and calculating killer. You casually walked away, leaving my child lying in the street."

Following the attacks, thousands gathered in Nottingham city centre to remember the victims

Calocane had denied murder but admitted manslaughter on the basis of diminished responsibility with the court hearing he had a long history of mental health problems.

Dr Kumar told the court the impact of losing his daughter had been "utterly devastating for our whole family and friends".

He added: "The manner in which Grace lost her life has multiplied the magnitude of our pain.

"Grace was a kind, warm and generous person. She was the friend you would want. She hated exclusion of others and always tried her best to defend the lonely.

"When she decided she would study medicine, I was so proud."

'No remorse'

Ms O'Malley-Kumar's mother, Sinead O'Malley, told the court her "darling girl" had been "cruelly and violently taken away from us" by Calocane.

Addressing Calocane directly, she said: "You are responsible for our ongoing pain and heartbreak.

"You are duplicitous and manipulative. You have shown no remorse.

"You understood right from wrong. You have violence in your soul.

"You are medically non-compliant and are never to be trusted. You remain a danger to society and the wider public.

"We know justice will be served. The public needs to be protected from you."

Barnaby Webber's father David said the "waves" of pain he had experienced since his eldest son's death had been "crippling" as he branded Calocane a "monster".

He said: "Barnaby was a vibrant, loving boy who was growing into a man and starting to live his best life.

"As a father I dreaded him leaving home [to go to university] but I loved my visits to see him; he always had a smile to welcome me.

"Due to your unbelievably savage actions I will never get that again."

Ms O'Malley-Kumar's father (right) and Mr Webber's parents embraced at a vigil held at the University of Nottingham

Mr Webber's mother Emma told Calocane he was a "monstrous individual".

She said: "Barney didn't lose his life on 13 June. It was stolen from him in the most vicious, unprovoked, senseless and evil way imaginable.

"There must be appropriate justice served and punishment for the actions of this one monstrous individual."

Mrs Webber said she had been "terrified" before viewing his body in a hospital chapel of rest, but added: "But I am glad I did and he had the final kiss of his forehead from me.

"However, it's something that no parent should ever have to do."

Ian Coates's son left tributes to him at the spot where he was killed

Ian Coates's son James Coates said his father was just five months away from retirement before he was killed.

He said: "You can't imagine how hard it is to take the phone call that their dad has been murdered in a killing spree.

"To have a life taken so horrifically is something you will never come to terms with. The effect this has had on us cannot be put into words.

"The reason for our very existence, gone."

Calocane, who answered to the name Adam Mendes in court, also admitted attempting to murder the three pedestrians he hit with a van.

His barrister Peter Joyce KC told a previous hearing the defendant "does not dispute the physical facts of the prosecution's case" but was suffering from "extreme" mental illness at the time of the incident.