Mental Health Inquiry Told Race Research Influenced Release of Nottingham Killer
An inquiry has heard that mental health professionals considered research on the "over-representation" of young black men in detention before releasing Valdo Calocane, who later killed three people in Nottingham in June 2023. Calocane, diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, was sentenced to an indefinite hospital order after admitting manslaughter by diminished responsibility and attempted murder.
Details of the 2020 Incident
In her opening statement, Counsel to the Inquiry Rachel Langdale KC described an incident in May 2020 where Calocane, experiencing psychosis, kicked at a woman's door, causing her to jump from a first-floor window out of fear and damage her spine. Mental health workers and doctors had been leaning towards sectioning Calocane after his arrest on suspicion of criminal damage earlier 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 in the community was said to be based purely on his current needs, symptom acuity, and risks, not his demographic. He was released after their assessment.
Subsequent Events and Inquiry Focus
Ms Langdale noted that an even more serious incident occurred shortly after Calocane's return from custody, with a former resident of Brook Court describing how he knocked and kicked at her door, leading her to jump from a window in terror. The inquiry will explore why Calocane was released at that stage and whether community release was appropriate.
The inquiry will also examine the appropriateness of decisions made during the Mental Health Act assessment and its consideration of risk. Ms Langdale added that the Royal College of Psychiatrists is not aware of evidence suggesting concerns about disproportionate restrictive measures for black patients impact practitioners' approaches, and there is no evidence psychiatrists avoid admitting black patients.
Calocane's Mental Health History
The inquiry heard that after the 2020 incident, Calocane's mother expressed a preference for hospital treatment, stating he was a risk to others. In a subsequent assessment, he was described as perplexed, distracted, and appearing psychotic, with first-episode psychosis diagnosed due to sleep deprivation and stress. Detention under section two was recommended, but he lacked capacity to agree to admission.
In Christmas 2022, Calocane sent his parents files explaining he heard voices due to "mind control technology," not mental ill-health. After the June 2023 attacks, phone analysis revealed he researched mind control technology and watched videos including a shooting, along with documents on law and police powers.
Risk Assessments and Hospital Admissions
During his fourth hospital admission in early 2022, Calocane largely kept a low profile, spending most of his time on his phone. The inquiry will explore whether clinicians asked what he was viewing and why patients might have unfettered phone access. His risk assessment was updated in February 2022, noting that given his history of violence, there should be no home visits or lone working.
Ms Langdale emphasized the inquiry will ask why this risk assessment for community medical teams did not apply equally to students and the wider public. Calocane's sentencing in January 2024 has been widely criticized by victims' families. Inquiry chair Deborah Taylor will produce a report with recommendations by May 2027.
