Nottingham Inquiry begins its oral hearings

The Inquiry, which began 9 weeks of oral hearings this week, is a statutory public inquiry concerning the attacks that took place in Nottingham on 13 June 2023. On that day, Valdo Calocane killed Barnaby Webber, Grace O’Malley Kumar and Ian Coates. He went on to seriously injure three others before being arrested by the police. 

In November 2023, Calocane pleaded guilty to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility in relation to each of the three killings. He also pleaded guilty to attempted murder for the three further attacks. On 25 January 2024, he was sentenced to a hospital order and restriction under s.37 and s.41 of the Mental Health Act 1983.

The Inquiry will examine the interactions that Calocane had with a number of different agencies prior to the attacks, including mental health services and the police. It will further examine the events of 13 June 2023 and the steps taken in the investigation and prosecution of Calocane by the police and by the Crown Prosecution Service.

Jason Beer KC is instructed on behalf of Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Samantha Leek KC and Robert Harland are instructed on behalf of the Home Office.