Nottingham Attacks Inquiry: Mother Vows to Fight for Truth on Killer's Care
Emma Webber, the mother of Barnaby Webber who was killed in the 2023 Nottingham attacks, has declared she will 'fight to the bitter end' to uncover the full truth about how Valdo Calocane was free to commit the atrocities. Her statement comes as a statutory public inquiry into the incident is set to begin on Monday, examining the events leading up to the attacks and potential preventive measures.
Details of the Tragic Attacks
On 13 June 2023, Valdo Calocane fatally stabbed three individuals in a frenzied assault: Barnaby Webber and Grace O'Malley-Kumar, both 19-year-old students, and Ian Coates, a 65-year-old caretaker. Early the following day, Calocane drove a van into pedestrians Wayne Birkett, Sharon Miller, and Marcin Gawronski, leaving all three with severe and life-changing injuries. Calocane, who had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia prior to the attacks, was sentenced to an indefinite hospital order in January 2024 after admitting three counts of manslaughter on grounds of diminished responsibility and three counts of attempted murder.
Inquiry to Scrutinise Institutional Failures
The upcoming inquiry will assess the 'events, acts and omissions' before the attacks, focusing on Calocane's NHS healthcare and his interactions with police forces. Emma Webber, a 53-year-old NHS communications manager, expressed feeling 'overwhelmed, apprehensive, and anxious' ahead of the inquiry, which she described as a 'long time coming'. She emphasised the need for truthful answers and accountability, stating, 'What the inquiry has to deliver is truthful answers, but the whole truth – not a version of. It is as simple as tell the truth, admit responsibility and accountability when you didn't do your jobs.'
Reports Highlight Systemic Neglect
Investigations have already revealed significant shortcomings in Calocane's care. A Care Quality Commission report into his treatment at the Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust between May 2020 and September 2022 identified a 'series of errors, omissions and misjudgments' that posed ongoing risks to public safety. Additionally, an independent review by Theemis Consulting noted a 'catalogue of failings', including that Calocane had no contact with mental health services or his GP for approximately nine months before the attacks.
Families Criticise Institutional Responses
Webber criticised institutions for their handling of the aftermath, saying they had 'closed ranks to keep us quiet'. She remarked, 'I would say, without exception, we've had evasive, defensive approaches from all of them. Marking their own homework and closing of ranks to try to keep us quiet.' In a joint statement, the families of Webber, O'Malley-Kumar, and Coates expressed frustration with 'failure and silence' and called for the inquiry to expose systemic neglect by mental health services, law enforcement, and judicial bodies. They also aim to challenge the legal framework that resulted in Calocane receiving a hospital order rather than a life sentence.
Anticipated Revelations and Long-Term Pursuit
Webber anticipates 'shocking' revelations during the inquiry, with thousands of documents related to Calocane's care and police investigations expected to be released. The police watchdog is currently investigating Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire police forces following reports that Calocane attacked co-workers in Leicestershire about five weeks prior to the Nottingham incidents. When asked about her faith in the inquiry leading to change, Webber described it as a 'conduit to ensuring that meaningful change can happen', but cautioned against assumptions. She pledged to attend every hearing until the inquiry concludes in June, stating, 'We are doggedly going to pursue this fight to the bitter end and we will get justice which means that my soul will be at rest one day knowing I did absolutely everything I could for him.'
