A public inquiry is set to examine the events leading to the stabbing deaths of three people by Valdo Calocane in Nottingham last June. The inquiry will review the circumstances and care failures involving Calocane, who was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia.
Errors in Treatment and Missed Opportunities
An internal review of Calocane’s care revealed numerous errors, omissions, and misjudgments by healthcare professionals. He had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, and it was known that he was not taking his prescribed medication. The review noted that, considering the risk he presented, Calocane could have been detained under the Mental Health Act.
Calocane’s family also shared that a doctor had warned them about the severity of his condition, saying that it was serious enough that he could kill someone. Earlier this year, Calocane was ordered to be detained indefinitely after admitting to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.
Tragic Attack in Nottingham
On June 13, 2023, Valdo Calocane stabbed 19-year-old students Barnaby Webber and Grace O’Malley-Kumar as they returned from a night out. He then went on to kill 65-year-old Ian Coates.
Families Call for Statutory, Judge-Led Inquiry
The families of the victims confirmed that they received assurance that a public inquiry will be held, following meetings with Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Attorney General Richard Hermer.
In a joint statement, the families said: “Following meetings with the Attorney General and Health Secretary on Tuesday of last week, we are pleased to have had confirmation that a public inquiry will take place. The final form of the inquiry is yet to be determined, but we families urge that it must be a statutory, judge-led one.”
The statement also emphasized their determination to ensure “full organisational and individual accountability” for the events of June 13, 2023, and to push for “appropriate changes and improvements” to prevent such a tragedy from happening again.
Concerns Raised by CQC Review
The final part of a Care Quality Commission (CQC) review of Calocane’s care by Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust found that key risk assessments had “minimised or omitted” important details regarding the serious risk Calocane posed to others. It also raised concerns over how well the trust communicated with Calocane’s family, who had expressed worries about his mental state.
Calls for Immediate Action
The brother of Valdo Calocane, Elias, echoed the victims’ relatives’ calls for a public inquiry, emphasizing that action should be taken immediately. Speaking to the BBC’s Panorama programme, Elias said: “We need some strong recommendations. But we can’t just say we’ll wait until it finishes, how many years down the line, and then do something about it. Something needs to happen now.”
It was also revealed that a psychiatrist had warned three years before the attacks that Calocane could “end up killing someone.” His family reportedly received the 300-page medical summary, containing the warning, only after his sentencing.
Indefinite Hospital Order
In January, Calocane was given an indefinite hospital order after admitting to manslaughter due to diminished responsibility. His not-guilty pleas to murder were accepted by prosecutors based on assessments from multiple medical experts who concluded that he suffered from paranoid schizophrenia.
The Department of Health and Social Care and the Attorney General’s office have been approached for comment regarding the upcoming public inquiry.
The public inquiry aims to ensure accountability for the failures that contributed to this tragedy and to make meaningful changes to avoid similar incidents in the future.
