Nottingham: School caretaker Ian Coates named as third victim of attacks

The third victim of the Nottingham attacks has been named as “beloved” school caretaker Ian Coates.

Mr Coates, who was in his 60s, was found fatally stabbed in the city in the early hours of Tuesday.

Two 19-year-old university students Grace Kumar and Barnaby Webber were also killed in the deadly attacks.

Tributes pour in for students – latest updates

Paying tribute to Mr Coates, his employer said he was a “beloved and respected member of the Huntingdon Academy staff”.

Ross Middleton, executive headteacher of Huntingdon Academy and Warren Academy, said: “Ian was a much-loved colleague who always went the extra mile for the benefit of our children and will be greatly missed.

“As a school community, it will take time to process this deeply upsetting news. We wish to extend our sympathy and condolences to all those affected by yesterday’s tragic events.”

Diana Owen, chief executive of the L.E.A.D. Academy Trust, which employed Mr Coates, said she was “deeply shocked and saddened” at the news of his death.

“Ian was a beloved and respected member of the Huntingdon Academy staff. My thoughts are with his family and friends during this extremely sad time,” she said.

Police declared a major incident after the two students were found dead in the street in Ilkeston Road just after 4am and Mr Coates was found around two miles away in Magdala Road.

The university students have been described as “talented” young sports stars in tributes, as Mr Webber’s family described their “complete devastation”.

Nottinghamshire Police said a 31-year-old man is being questioned on suspicion of murder. The suspect is believed to have stolen Mr Coates’ van and driven at pedestrians in Milton Street.

Three people were injured in the van attack, with one in a critical condition in hospital and two suffering minor injuries. After the vehicle was stopped, police used a stun gun to arrest the suspect.

Devastation at ‘senseless murder’

In a statement, Mr Webber’s parents David and Emma Webber, and younger brother Charlie, said: “Complete devastation is not enough to describe our pain and loss at the senseless murder of our son.”

They described him as “a beautiful, brilliant, bright young man, with everything in life to look forward to” and a “passionate cricketer”.

Tributes have also been paid to Miss Kumar, who played for England under-18s hockey team and was a “fiercely competitive, talented and dedicated cricketer and hockey player”.

Read more:
Timeline of how ‘major incident’ unfolded
Witness heard ‘bang’ and ‘scream’ as van hit people

‘Open mind’ over motive

Nottinghamshire Police Chief Constable Kate Meynell said the force was not looking for anyone else in connection with the incidents and no further arrests had been made.

She added that the motive behind the attack was yet to be determined, but officers were keeping an “open mind” and working with counter-terror police.

Ms Meynell confirmed officers had carried out searches at a number of properties around the city – with cordons seen being put up on various sections of Ilkeston Road.

A terraced property on the road was under police guard, with staff at a neighbouring hairdresser saying it had been raided last year.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman said, “we’re in a very early stage of the investigation” when asked whether the attack could have been terror-related.