Barnaby Webber's mother has vowed 'there will be accountability' three years after her son's death, in a heart-breaking tribute on social media. Emma Webber's son was one of three people killed by Valdo Calocane, who was detained indefinitely in a psychiatric facility after admitting manslaughter on diminished responsibility grounds.
Remembering the Victims
Students Barnaby Webber and Grace O'Malley-Kumar, both 19, and school caretaker Ian Coates, 65, were fatally stabbed in the early hours of June 13, 2023. Three years on, the victims' families have marked their deaths in their own ways as they continue to grieve their losses.
Barnaby's mum, Emma Webber, shared four photos of Barnaby through the years. One particular snap featured a young Barnaby sitting on his mum's knee while both looked into the camera.
In the emotional post on X/Twitter, Mrs Webber said: 'Barnaby Philip John Webber 11/01/2004-13/06/2023. If you can, share these images of the beautiful soul stolen from us by the worst of humanity. Let his face today burn bright. Barney, I promise you there will be accountability. For You. For Grace. For Ian.'
Public Support
Since being posted, hundreds of people shared encouraging messages under her post. Louise Dixon said: 'Thinking of you especially today and always. Barnaby, Grace and Ian.'
Demanding Accountability
Mrs Webber recently demanded a meeting with Prime Minister Keir Starmer after she said Valdo Calocane 'got away with murder.' Calocane, 32, is currently being detained indefinitely in a psychiatric facility after he admitted manslaughter on diminished responsibility grounds.
A three-month inquiry into the circumstances that led up to the killings heard evidence and is set to publish its findings in May next year. Following the conclusion of the inquiry last week, Mrs Webber said: 'Valdo Calocane got away with murder. He took three innocent lives, tried to take three more, and the system let him plead to manslaughter. No murder conviction, no trial, no proper punishment that reflects what he did. That decision robbed Barnaby, Grace, and Ian of justice, and it robbed us of the truth in a court of law.'
She added: 'Clear evidence has come forward to prove that Calocane did have a history, that there were areas of his life and background and behaviour that should have been explored. Evidence of his insight, his planning, and his culpability was overlooked by a weak prosecution and poor-quality expert witnesses. A seriously mentally unwell man, yes, but one that knew entirely what he was doing.'
Government Meeting Demanded
She later demanded a meeting between ministers and victims' families in the coming weeks, adding: 'We will not accept that a triple killer evades accountability through his own manipulation and legal technicalities. We call today to meet with the government within the next month: the Prime Minister, the Attorney General, the Home Secretary, the Health Secretary, and the Justice Minister. The findings of this inquiry will not be made until the spring of next year; however, that does not prevent action from being taken now.'
NHS Failings
In February last year, the NHS published an independent review of Calocane's care. It found multiple failings and Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust chief Ifti Majid apologised to Coates' partner Elaine Newton. She later said the apology was 'too little too late.' Elaine added her life was left 'in ruins because of the NHS mismanagement of Calocane's care.'
