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‘Look out for each other’: Fathers of Nottingham attack victims speak at vigil
The father of Grace O’Malley-Kumar has told students to “look out for each other” at a vigil for the Nottingham attack victims.
With the dad of the other student killed placing his hand on his shoulder, Sanjoy Kumar said: “You all touched her lives, and hence ours. You will never be forgotten…”
He said it “should never happen to any parent” but told students: “Thank you for the things you did for our daughter and Barnaby. And look out for each other…”
“The love we have out here – I wish we had it everywhere,” he added.
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Barnaby Webber’s father, David, told mourners: “I’m lost for words. I’ve lost my baby boy.”
He said his son “loved it” at university and “couldn’t wait to come back”.
“I know Barnaby would be super touched by everyone that’s here”, adding that the 19-year-old’s “heart will be with you guys forever”.
Friends of the two students joined the family and campus staff at the vigil at Nottingham University.
Grace O’Malley-Kumar, Barnaby Webber and Ian Coates
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Vigil held for Nottingham attack victims
Members of the hockey and cricket teams they belonged to were also there and laid flowers.
There was even a moment of laughter among the tears, as Mr Kumar spoke of trying to persuade his daughter to come back home to visit.
“Grace was also like Barnaby, she loved coming up to Nottingham – in fact we couldn’t get her down,” he said.
“I said to her last week ‘come down’ and she well, after she’s had a few more sessions. I used to call them her crisis meetings.”
Read more:
Timeline of how attacks unfolded
‘You couldn’t find a nicer guy’ – son of third victim pays tribute
The two 19-year-old’s were stabbed to death in the street in the early hours of Tuesday, along with school caretaker Ian Coates, found a few miles away.
His van was stolen and used to drive into people in the city centre, leaving one person in a critical condition.
A 31-year-old man is being held on suspicion of murder and police say they have an “open mind” on the motive.
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Nottingham suspect on CCTV at homeless shelter
A stolen van was used to run into people in central Nottingham
CCTV shows a man believed to be the suspect trying to break into a shelter for homeless people close to where Mr Coates was fatally stabbed.
Witnesses said the man showed up just after 4am.
He is shown trying to climb in an open window – but a resident woke up and punched him, sending him stumbling to the ground.
The man – who’s carrying a backpack – searched for another way in but eventually left and headed towards Magdala Road, where Mr Coates was later found dead.
Ian Coates was months away from retirement. Pic: Huntingdon Academy
Mr Coates’ family visited the street where he was found stabbed
The 65-year-old caretaker worked at Huntingdon Academy and is believed to have been on his way to work when he was attacked.
His son said he was due to retire in four months but was “still grafting”.
Paying tribute, Lee Coates said: “He was a die-hard Forest fan and an avid fisherman… He used to take under-privileged kids fishing just to get away from crime.
“You genuinely couldn’t find a nicer guy.”
His son and grandson earlier visited the street where we was found and left flowers and a vintage England shirt.
A message on the shirt read: “Dad, love you always and forever, Lee x.”