Valdo Calocane: Review into decision to accept triple killer's pleas

A review of the decision by prosecutors to accept manslaughter pleas in the Nottingham attacks case has been ordered by the attorney general.

Barnaby Webber and Grace O'Malley-Kumar, both 19, were fatally stabbed on 13 June along with Ian Coates, 65.

Their killer, Valdo Calocane, was given a hospital order after admitting manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

The review will also look into how the victims' families were consulted.

Attorney General Victoria Prentis said she ordered the urgent review of the Crown Prosecution Service's (CPS) handling of the case.

She has asked His Majesty's Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate to carry out the review, adding: "The senseless deaths of Barnaby Webber, Grace O'Malley-Kumar and Ian Coates have horrified the country.

"While nothing will bring their loved ones back, the families understandably want to understand what happened in this case.

"That's why I have asked the inspectorate to carry out a prompt and thorough review of CPS actions."

Responding to the attorney general's decision, the families said they were "united as families in this national tragedy".

"We reiterate our deep and grave concerns in this case, and our disappointment that we have had to resort to this additional level of trauma and stress to feel listened to and for further actions to be taken," a joint statement read.

"The families welcome a full, open and transparent investigation and also ask that they are given the opportunity to discuss, in person, the concerns and evidence of concerns that they have with the IOPC and the attorney general."

It also said the families were invited to meet Janine McKinney, chief crown prosecutor, and Nottinghamshire Police's Chief Constable Kate Meynell.

"Whilst these invitations are welcome, the families would comment that these concerns were raised repeatedly over the past few months and the opportunity to meet has only been forthcoming at this late stage, when perhaps the horse has already bolted," the statement said.

"The united families of Grace, Barnaby and Ian are grateful to the public for their continued support and extraordinary compassion shown to them during the past seven tragic months."

The families have called for a public inquiry into the case and met Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Monday to discuss their concerns.

In an interview with ITV's This Morning on Tuesday, Mr Sunak said he promised that "we will get the answers".

"What they've expressed to me are a bunch of questions about what's happened that they have," he said.

"How did the NHS operate? Was mental health properly checked? How was the police investigation conducted? How was the Crown Prosecution Service operating and interacting with them? I think those are all perfectly reasonable questions."

A decision about whether a public inquiry "is the next logical step" will be made after all the agencies involved in the case have been independently investigated, he added.

"Once we hear back from that, then we can sit down with them and decide if there are more questions that need answering," Mr Sunak said. "Is the inquiry then the next logical step?"

The CPS said it would "fully engage" with the review.

Calocane had originally been charged with three counts of murder and three of attempted murder, having driven a stolen van at three pedestrians in Milton Street and Upper Parliament Street, in the city centre.

However, while in custody, it emerged he had been transferred to a "secure hospital setting" and assessed by three forensic psychiatrists.

Last week, the CPS set out why it decided to accept a diminished responsibility plea.

It said medical experts provided "overwhelming" evidence the killer was suffering from paranoid schizophrenia, which resulted in him hearing voices in his head telling him his family would be harmed unless he did what they told him to do.

Three psychiatrists were asked to analyse Calocane's condition and all agreed it "impaired his ability to exercise self-control".

The CPS "took the unusual step" of asking a fourth expert to review those reports, and after they agreed with the findings, prosecutors concluded there was "no realistic prospect of conviction for murder".

But Mr Webber's mother Emma said the CPS had not consulted them, and said they had been "rushed, hastened and railroaded", while Mr Coates's son James said Calocane had "got away with murder".

In response, a CPS spokesperson said it had met the families of Mr Webber and Ms O'Malley-Kumar online, and then again in person in December, with further offers to meet made "throughout".

They added: "Engagement with those who have been left bereaved is one of our highest priorities and in all cases, we continue to liaise with victims' families throughout the legal process."

The attorney general's announcement comes after a special review was ordered by the health secretary, which will see the Care Quality Commission (CQC) look into the Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, which treated Calocane.

A separate NHS England Independent Mental Health Homicide Review will be carried out in the coming months, while the attorney general is also considering whether Calocane's sentence was too lenient.

The police watchdog is also investigating after a referral by Leicestershire Police, which investigated alleged assaults by Calocane a few weeks before the attacks.

Nottinghamshire Police has also said it "should have done more" to arrest the 32-year-old.

The force's involvement will also be investigated by the College of Policing, in a review commissioned by Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Caroline Henry.

College of Policing CEO, Chief Constable Andy Marsh, said work "will start immediately".

"The killings of Barnaby Webber, Grace O'Malley-Kumar and Ian Coates were horrific and our thoughts remain with their families and friends at what continues to be an incredibly difficult time," he added.

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