Valdo Calocane: Prosecutors correct to accept Nottingham killer’s manslaughter pleas, report finds
Prosecutors were correct to accept Nottingham killer Valdo Calocane’s manslaughter by diminished responsibility pleas rather than pursue a murder case, the CPS inspectorate has found.
Calocane, 32, stabbed to death students Barnaby Webber and Grace O’Malley-Kumar, both 19, and 65-year-old school caretaker Ian Coates in June last year.
The attorney general ordered an urgent review into the CPS’s handling of the case after families of the three victims said they were bitterly disappointed that a murder case was not pursued by prosecutors.
They also felt they had not been properly informed about the decision before it was made.
(L-R) Ian Coates, Barnaby Webber, Grace O’Malley-Kumar
His Majesty’s Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI) said in their report published today that the CPS were correct to accept Calocane’s manslaughter by diminished responsibility pleas and that a good service was provided to families.
However, the report said there was room for improvement, recommending that the CPS in future provide written guidance to help family liaison officers explain legal concepts to bereaved families.
They also suggested that the use of the word “consult” when referring to engagement with the families around the legal decision-making in this may have contributed to a general misunderstanding of the CPS’s obligations to bereaved families.
This is because there is no obligation for the CPS to “consult” victims when making a decision on the evidential test of the Code for Crown Prosecutors, but rather to “inform” and “explain” their decision.
Valdo Calocane walking along Radford Boulevard, Nottingham, prior to the attack. Pic: Nottinghamshire Police/PA
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The report said: “It is understandable why the bereaved families find the decision by the CPS to accept the pleas of not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter difficult to accept.
“Their loved ones were violently killed by an offender who knew what he was doing was wrong and who intended to kill them.
“The term manslaughter has the perception to underplay the gravity of what has taken place.”
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UK
Family of nine-year-old Aria Thorpe pay tribute to ‘beautiful soul’ as teen appears in court charged with murder
The family of a nine-year-old girl stabbed to death have said she was a “beautiful soul” who was brave, kind-hearted and “always put a smile on people’s faces”.
Police were called to Lime Close in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, just before 6.10pm on Monday, where Aria Thorpe had suffered a single stab wound.
The child was pronounced dead at the scene.
In a tribute released by Avon and Somerset Police on Friday, the girl’s family on her mother’s side said: “For those who didn’t have the privilege of knowing Aria, she was the most beautiful little soul – happy-go-lucky, full of light, and joy.
“She loved to sing and dance, and she took such pride in dressing up, always wanting to look just like her mummy.”
Tom Thorpe, the girl’s father, said: “It’s hard to put into words how devastating it is, our little Aria, that you’re up there with the angels looking over us.”
It comes as a 15-year-old boy charged with Aria’s murder appeared in court.
Pic: Avon and Somerset Police
Aria was a ‘precious girl’
In their statement, Aria’s family on her mother’s side said her death “has devastated us beyond words”.
“Our hearts are broken in a way we never imagined possible,” they added.
“As a family, we are holding one another close and doing everything we can to support each other through this unimaginable time.”
They said they were “truly touched by the lovely messages we have received”, before asking “that our privacy is respected, as we try to come to terms with the terrible loss of our precious girl”.
Flowers laid in memory of the young girl
‘Wacky ways and outright madness’
Mr Thorpe said: “How sad it’s going to be not hearing ‘Dad, how long left?’ on our long journeys back and forth at weekends.
He then said that Aria was “such a brave, kind-hearted and a beautiful innocent soul”, and “always put a smile on people’s faces with your wacky ways and just outright madness”.
Mr Thorpe added: “Your other little family down here in Portsmouth will forever miss you.
“We’ll miss you begging to go outside, even in the pouring rain just to have as much fun as possible in the little time we had at weekends.
“You will be greatly missed, you special little angel. A life gone far too early but I hope a life lived well. We all love you dearly. Goodnight darling.”
Teenager in court
Meanwhile, a 15-year-old boy charged with Aria’s murder appeared at Bristol Crown Court on Friday, where he was remanded.
The teenager, who cannot be named because of his age, was arrested in the Somerset village of Worle at 6.19pm on Monday.
He is next due in court on 16 March 2026. Appearing via video link from youth detention accommodation, he spoke only to confirm his name.
Judge Peter Blair KC set a provisional trial date for 15 June during the hearing.
A teenager charged with the murder of nine-year-old Aria Thorpe will stand trial in June next year.
The 15-year-old boy, who cannot be named because of his age, appeared at Bristol Crown Court on Friday.
The defendant, who appeared via video link from youth detention accommodation, spoke only to confirm his name.
During a brief hearing, Judge Peter Blair KC, the Recorder of Bristol, set a provisional trial date for 15 June 2026.
The trial is expected to last two weeks.
Avon and Somerset Police were called to Lime Close in Weston-super-Mare just before 6.10pm on Monday, where nine-year-old Aria had suffered a single stab wound.
Flowers laid in memory of the young girl
The boy was arrested in nearby Worle a short time later.
His father was among those attending in the public gallery.
The teenager is next expected to appear in court on 16 March.
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