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.
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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