Families of Nottingham stabbing victims gather on first anniversary
The families of those killed in the Nottingham attack have laid flowers at the spot where the two students were murdered a year ago today.
Barnaby Webber and Grace O’Malley-Kumar, both 19, were stabbed by Valdo Calocane as they walked home after a night out celebrating the end of exams.
The 32-year-old also knifed to death school caretaker Ian Coates, 65, as he made his way to work at Huntingdon Academy in the early hours.
A memorial service took place at the university, with the fathers of Grace and Barnaby recalling how happy they both were in the city.
There was also a two-minute silence and friends lined up to add single flowers to a bouquet near the stage.
Grace’s father was emotional as he recalled how his “hero” daughter “fought valiantly” during the attack and “chose friendship over fear” as she tried to help Barnaby.
“She was brave and she was beautiful”, he told the audience.
Sanjoy Kumar recalled how Grace’s life was focussed on three things: trying to become a doctor, playing hockey and socialising with friends.
He said time had “stood still” since the attack, but that the immense support shown to them had helped them carry on.
Grace Kumar, Barnaby Webber and Ian Coates
The fathers of the students spoke at a service at the university
In a statement ahead of the service, the Webber, Coates and O’Malley-Kumar families said the killings were a “series of catastrophic missed opportunities” which led to “entirely preventable deaths”.
They said “no stone will be left unturned” in their battle for justice.
Calocane pleaded guilty to three counts of manslaughter by diminished responsibility in January.
The families tried to appeal the sentence but the Court of Appeal said it wasn’t “not unduly lenient” given Calocane’s paranoid schizophrenia.
They have also criticised Nottinghamshire Police and the Nottinghamshire Healthcare Foundation Trust after it was revealed Calocane had previously been detained in hospital four times, with a warrant for his arrest also issued months before the killings.
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Sir Keir Starmer to sack Treasury minister Tulip Siddiq over allegations she lived in properties linked to allies of her aunt, Sheikh Hasina, the deposed prime minister of Bangladesh.
It comes after the current Bangladeshi leader, Muhammad Yunus, said London properties used by Ms Siddiq should be investigated.
He told the Sunday Times the properties should be handed back to his government if they were acquired through “plain robbery”.
Tory leader Ms Badenoch said: “It’s time for Keir Starmer to sack Tulip Siddiq.
“He appointed his personal friend as anti-corruption minister and she is accused herself of corruption.
“Now the government of Bangladesh is raising serious concerns about her links to the regime of Sheikh Hasina.”
Ms Siddiq insists she has “done nothing wrong”.
Her aunt was ousted from office in August following an uprising against her 20-year leadership and fled to India.
Ms Siddiq is also named with her aunt in Bangladesh court documents about meetings with the Russian government.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Sir Keir to sack the minister
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As economic secretary to the Treasury, Ms Siddiq is responsible for policy on both the City and tackling corruption.
She referred herself to the prime minister’s ethics watchdog on Monday following the reports about the properties.
On the same day, the prime minister said: “Tulip Siddiq has acted entirely properly by referring herself to the independent adviser, as she’s now done, and that’s why we brought into being the new code.
“It’s to allow ministers to ask the adviser to establish the facts, and yes, I’ve got confidence in her, and that’s the process that will now be happening.”
Police in Aberdeen have widened the search area for two sisters who disappeared four days ago in the city.
Eliza and Henrietta Huszti, both 32, were last seen on CCTV on Market Street after leaving their home on Tuesday at around 2.12am.
The sisters – who are part of a set of triplets and originally from Hungary – crossed the Victoria Bridge to the Torry area and turned right on to a footpath next to the River Dee.
Eliza and Henrietta Huszti were last seen on CCTV in Market Street. Pic: Police Scotland/PA
They headed in the direction of Aberdeen Boat Club but officers said there is no evidence to suggest the missing women left the immediate area.
Specialist search teams, police dogs and a marine unit have been trying to trace the pair.
The sisters crossed Victoria Bridge before walking along a footpath next to the River Dee
The pair were heading in the direction of Aberdeen Boat Club on the south side of the River Dee
Further searches are being carried out towards the Port of Aberdeen’s South Harbour and Duthie Park.
Police Scotland said it is liaising with authorities in Hungary to support the relatives of the two sisters.
Chief Inspector Darren Bruce said: “Eliza and Henrietta’s family are understandably extremely worried about them and we are working tirelessly to find them.
“We are seriously concerned about them and have significant resources dedicated to the inquiry.”
The sisters, from Aberdeen city centre, are described as slim with long brown hair.
Henrietta Huszti. Pic: Police Scotland
Eliza Huszti. Pic: Police Scotland
Officers have requested businesses in and around the South Esplanade and Menzies Road area to review their CCTV footage for the early morning of Tuesday 7 January.
Police added they are keen to hear from anyone with dashcam footage from that time.
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