UK
Nottingham attack: Families and friends gather on first anniversary of killings
Families and friends of those killed in the Nottingham attack have laid roses 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.
Remembering the victims on Thursday morning, a trail of flowers was put down on Ilkeston Road where the students died.
A memorial service also took place at Nottingham University, with the fathers of Grace and Barnaby recalling how happy they both were in the city.
Grace’s father held back tears as he recalled how his “hero” daughter “fought valiantly” during the attack – and “chose friendship over fear” as she tried to protect Barnaby.
“She was brave and she was beautiful,” he told the audience.
Dr Sinead O’Malley (left) and Dr Sanjoy Kumar (second left), parents of Grace O’Malley-Kumar during the memorial event at the University of Nottingham. Pic: PA
People attending the memorial event at the University of Nottingham. Pic: PA
Sanjoy Kumar recalled how Grace’s life was focused on three things: trying to become a doctor, playing hockey and socialising with friends.
He said time had “stood still” in the last 12 months, but that overwhelming support had helped them carry on.
Barnaby’s father thanked his son’s friends who turned out to remember him at the spot where he died.
Crowds gathered at the University of Nottingham. Pic: PA
“That was the most moving thing I’ve seen in a long time,” he said.
He urged them to “stay strong” and said despite the world often being a “dark place”, “you guys are showing us there is lots of light”.
There was a two-minute silence at the service and friends lined up to add flowers to a bouquet near the stage.
Grace O’Malley-Kumar, Barnaby Webber and Ian Coates
The fathers spoke at a service at Nottingham university
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In a statement beforehand, the three 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.
Grace’s father reiterated that message during the service.
“The coward was Valdo Calocane and all of the people who failed our children,” said Mr Kumar.
“What we have found out since the attacks makes unconscionable reading – a series of letdowns by the authorities, who simply didn’t do their jobs.”
Prosecutors decided not to put schizophrenic Calocane on trial for murder. Pic: PA
Calocane pleaded guilty to manslaughter by diminished responsibility and was detained in a secure hospital.
Prosecutors accepted his plea and chose not to pursue a murder trial.
The families tried to appeal but the sentence was ruled “not unduly lenient” due to his paranoid schizophrenia.
They have also criticised police and health services after it was revealed Calocane had been detained in hospital four times and an arrest warrant had been issued months before the killings.