Nottingham killer sentenced to detention in high security hospital indefinitely

The Nottingham killer has been sentenced to a hospital order and will therefore be detained in a high security hospital under section 37 of the Mental Health Act.

The Judge said he was satisfied that Valdo Calocane is suffering from paranoid schizophrenia and should therefore be detained in Ashworth hospital for medical treatment.

There was no clear timeframe given for his sentence with the Judge adding that his treatment for paranoid schizophrenia would mean that it is “highly unlikely” that he will ever be released.

Calocane has previously appeared in court where he pleaded not guilty to murdering Barnaby Webber, Grace O’Malley-Kumar and Ian Coates but guilty to their manslaughter on the basis of diminished responsibility.

He also pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of Sharon Miller, Martin Gawronski and Wayne Birkett.

Earlier this week, prosecution for Nottingham Crown Court accepted this plea due to his history of mental health and after consultation with the victims families.

In sentencing Calocane, Mr Justice Turner said: “Valdo Calocane, I will say from the outset the sentence I am about to pass will result in you being detained in a high security hospital, probably for the rest of your life.”

Mr Justice Turner then describing his “sickening crime”,  the events of the 13th June where he killed of Grace O’Malley-Kumar, Barnaby Webber and Ian Coates.

He then noted that his mental health did “not detract from the horror” of his actions and “the destructive impact” it has had on the families of the victims.

University of Nottingham, first year students Grace O’Malley-Kumar and Barnaby Webber both 19-years old, were fatally stabbed in the early hours of the morning on June 13th 2023 on Ilkeston Road.

Police then found the body of 65-year-old school caretaker Ian Coates on Magdala Road after his van was allegedly stolen.

Feature Image via Nottinghamshire Police 

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