Mental Health Inquiry Hears Race Research Influenced Release of Nottingham Killer
A public inquiry has heard that mental health professionals considered research on the "over-representation" of young black men in detention before releasing a schizophrenic man who later killed three people in Nottingham. Valdo Calocane, diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, was sentenced to an indefinite hospital order after fatally stabbing University of Nottingham students Barnaby Webber and Grace O'Malley-Kumar, both 19, and school caretaker Ian Coates, 65, in June 2023.
Previous Incident and Release Decision
In her opening statement, Counsel to the Inquiry Rachel Langdale KC detailed that nearly three years earlier, in May 2020, Calocane had kicked at a woman's door while experiencing psychosis, causing her to jump from a first-floor window in fear and sustain spinal injuries. Mental health workers and doctors had been leaning towards sectioning Calocane under the Mental Health Act after his arrest on suspicion of criminal damage that day.
However, the inquiry heard that the team of professionals considered research evidence showing the disproportionate detention of young black males. Ms Langdale stated that the decision to treat Calocane, referred to as VC in proceedings, in the community would have been "based purely on his current needs, acuity of symptoms and the risks," and not on demographic factors. Following this assessment, Calocane was released back into the community.
Serious Incident After Release
Ms Langdale described a subsequent, more serious incident shortly after Calocane's return from custody. A former resident of Brook Court reported hearing a knock on her door around 8pm after work. When she asked who it was, Calocane replied, "It's me, open please." After she repeated the question, he knocked louder and began kicking the door.
"She was alone in the flat and describes her fear at this point," Ms Langdale told the inquiry. "She was so frightened that she jumped out of a first floor window, causing serious damage to her spine."
The counsel added that inquiry chair Deborah Taylor may examine why Calocane was released at that stage and whether direct release into the community was appropriate. The inquiry will also explore the appropriateness of decisions made during the Mental Health Act assessment and its consideration of risk.
Subsequent Assessments and Sentencing
After this incident, Calocane's mother expressed a preference for her son to receive hospital treatment, stating he was "a risk to others in his current mental state." A mental health assessment the next day described Calocane as "perplexed, very distracted, and appearing to be psychotic." He explained he had broken the neighbour's door after hearing a woman scream and denied drug use.
The assessment concluded with a diagnosis of first-episode psychosis due to sleep deprivation and stress, posing a risk to his own safety and others. It was determined he lacked capacity to agree to hospital admission, and detention under section two of the Mental Health Act was recommended.
In January 2024, Calocane was sentenced to an indefinite hospital order after admitting manslaughter by diminished responsibility and attempted murder—a outcome that has faced widespread criticism from the victims' families. Chair Deborah Taylor is expected to produce a report with recommendations by May 2027.
