- Nottingham student killed heroically
- Attacker pleads manslaughter, mental illness
- Court trial ongoing
A student lost her life while “heroically” attempting to save a companion from a stab wound that occurred on their way home from a night out in Nottingham.
When Valdo Calocane attacked Barnaby Webber and company, a court heard that Grace O’Malley-Kumar exhibited “incredible bravery” in defending them.
On Tuesday in court, his pleas of manslaughter predicated on diminished responsibility were upheld.
Regarding Ms. O’Malley-Kumar, she engaged Calocane in combat before he betrayed her.
Her relatives expressed their pride in her.
Dr. Sanjoy Kumar, while addressing Calocane in court, lauded his daughter as a brave individual who declined the opportunity to flee.
He stated, “She intervened with courage. She never would abandon a friend during adversity. Such was not her disposition.
She fought you bravely and heroically. She perilously exposed herself, behaving heroically.
Unfortunately, she had no chance against you due to the weapon you were carrying.
“You have demonstrated that you are a ruthless, cowardly, and calculating murderer. Your absence was inconsequential; you abandoned my child in the street.
Tragic Night: Students Brutally Attacked
The court heard that on 13 June, shortly after 04:00 BST, University of Nottingham students Mr. Webber and Ms. O’Malley-Kumar, both 19, were fatally wounded in Ilkeston Road while walking home to their student housing following an end-of-term night out.
Prosecutor Karim Khalil KC stated that Mr. Webber sustained “grave injuries” and fell to the ground after being wounded “repeatedly” with a dagger.
He added that after the assailant turned his attention to Ms. O’Malley-Kumar, he was “as uncompromisingly brutal in his assault” as he had been while shielding her companion Calocane, who displayed “incredible bravery” by fighting and pushing her into the road.
As Mr Khalil informed the court that Ms. O’Malley-Kumar’s injuries were too severe and she collapsed, family members in the public gallery wept. Mr. Webber attempted to defend himself by kicking his assailant from the ground, but Calocane “calmly” ascended the area.
James, Ms. O’Malley Kumar’s sibling, remarked, “She was the best to me. Since the occurrence of everything, I have been adrift without her.
“In addition to my elder sister, my best friend, to whom I confided in regards to any matter, has also passed away. Because I was so incredibly proud of her, I would perpetually speak of her.
“It is an honour and a privilege to state that she is my older sister. It is now my responsibility to strive for her pride.”
According to the testimony presented in court, Calocane traveled from the location of the initial double murder to a residential hostel on Mapperley Road, where he arrived at approximately 05:00 BST.
Fatal Stabbing Spree: Guilty Pleas
After one inhabitant punched him in the face at 05:04 BST while trying to enter through ground-floor windows, he “retreated”.
Around 05:14 BST, school custodian Ian Coates, who was operating his Vauxhall van along nearby Magdala Road, was stabbed multiple times, sustaining abdominal and chest wounds.
Mr. Khalil testified in court, “The defendant subsequently absconded with Ian Coates’ van, abandoning him for dead.”
Mr. Coates, 65, was discovered unresponsive by members of the public at approximately 05:30 BST; paramedics and police were dispatched shortly after that, and he was pronounced deceased.
Calocane pled guilty to manslaughter on diminished responsibility after denying murder in November. The prosecution accepted.
Calocane was afflicted with “serious” mental illness, according to the testimony at the hearing.
The families of the victims were consulted before the prosecution accepted the entered pleas, Mr. Khalil.
Dr. Kumar, on the other hand, expressed that his daughter would be dissatisfied with the resolution of the case.
Calocane, posing as Adam Mendes, admitted to trying to kill three pedestrians he hit with a van.
The vehicle was stolen from Mr. Coates, whom he had previously assaulted the two pupils and stabbed.
The sentencing proceeding for the 32-year-old is currently scheduled to last approximately two days.
Van Rampage: Survivors’ Luck
Additionally, the court was informed that Wayne Birkett, who was crossing the street, was struck by Calocane’s van on Milton Street, where he had stolen Mr. Coates’ vehicle. He reportedly experienced a cerebral hemorrhage due to a fractured skull and was, therefore, extraordinarily fortunate to survive.
The defendant was subsequently observed driving in a loop at approximately 05:29 BST by a marked police vehicle.
After officers activated their lights, Calocane accelerated away. Subsequently, he struck Sharon Miller and Marcin Gawronski, who were traversing a pedestrian central reservation en route to work.
“Seize the opportunity: Sign up for Webull UK and receive free shares!”
The court heard that both Ms. Miller and Mr. Gawronski were extraordinarily fortunate to have survived.
A Tasering resulted in the apprehension of Calocane approximately five minutes after the last victim was struck. When the van was halted and surrounded by police vehicles, he produced a knife.
According to Mr. Khalil, Calocane was evaluated by three psychiatrists, who concluded that he would have comprehended the gravity of his actions when he attacked three of his victims with a dagger characterized in court as “a double-edged fighting knife” despite suffering from paranoid schizophrenia.
The prosecution decided to accept manslaughter after talking with the victims’ relatives. This was on the basis of diminished responsibility, deeming it appropriate.
He further stated, “For the elimination of any reasonable doubt, the Crown maintains that the abhorrent circumstances surrounding this case establish its grave nature.”
Peter Joyce KC, Calocane’s attorney, stated at a prior hearing that the defendant “does not dispute the physical facts of the prosecution’s case” but was, at the time of the incident, afflicted with “extreme” mental illness.
Rwanda bill passes final Commons hurdle, relief for Rishi Sunak
