What we know about Nottingham attack victim Barnaby Webber

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The harrowing events that went down on June 13 have been investigated in a new BBC documentary
The harrowing events that went down on June 13 have been investigated in a new BBC documentary

BARNABY Webber was just 19 years old when he had his life cut short.

The university student was one of three victims who were stabbed to death in what has been dubbed a "despicable and murderous" rampage.

Barnaby Webber was killed along with another victim after a night out in Nottingham qhiqhuiqudiqzqprw
Barnaby Webber was killed along with another victim after a night out in Nottingham
Ian Coates, Barnaby Webber and Grace O’Malley-Kumar lost their lives on June 13, 2023
Ian Coates, Barnaby Webber and Grace O’Malley-Kumar lost their lives on June 13, 2023Credit: PA

Who was Barnaby Webber?

Barnaby Webber was a 19-year-old keen sportsman.

He was studying history at Nottingham University and was attacked as he walked home after a night out with his friend Grace O'Malley-Kumar.

On the day of the incident, Barnaby and Grace strolled along the street, turning to talk to each other with animated arms as they made their way home from a night out.

Are there illegal baby names? Surprising monikers that are BANNED in other countries, from Sarah to ThomasAre there illegal baby names? Surprising monikers that are BANNED in other countries, from Sarah to Thomas

But tragically the teens never made it back to their university hall.

Following the horrific incident, in June 2023, Barnaby’s mum shared memories of her "beautiful boy" at a vigil in Nottingham as she told mourners "hold no hate".

Barnaby's heartbroken mum Emma told the sea of people that the "monstrous individual" responsible for the horrifying deaths "will not define us".

Bravely speaking and fighting back tears, she said: "I know he will receive the retribution that he deserves.

"However, this evil person is just that. He is just a person.

"Please hold no hate that relates to any colour, sex or religion.

"I want you to know [that Barnaby] is more than a victim of a senseless murder.

"He loved pesto pasta, but he hated cottage pie.

"He was obsessed with aeroplanes and he still carried a dream of being a pilot in the RAF one day."

Where was Barnaby Webber from?

Barnaby was a teenager from Taunton, Somerset.

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He attended Taunton School for sixteen years from nursery to sixth form.

Following his tragic death, a statement posted on the school website said: "The Taunton School community is heartbroken by the recent, tragic news about Barnaby Webber.

"My beautiful, beautiful boy, you have mine, your dad and your brother's heart forever."

Emma Webber

"Barnaby joined us in the nursery and studied here all the way through to the end of sixth form, leaving just last year.

"In his long association with the school, he touched the lives of many staff, pupils and parents and his loss will be very difficult to come to terms with.

"He was a much-loved, kind and engaging character.

"That a young man of such promise should lose his life in these circumstances is utterly devastating.

"We send our love and deepest condolences to his family. We continue to do all we can to support them and all in our community affected by these events.

"When the time comes, we will find a fitting way in which to remember Barnaby and his special contribution to our school.

"In the meantime we ask for respect for the privacy of Barnaby's family and send our condolences to the families and friends of all the victims in this awful attack."

Barnaby attended the University of Nottingham
Barnaby attended the University of NottinghamCredit: Alamy
A timeline of the knife crime
A timeline of the knife crime
Heartbreaking footage shows Barnaby and Grace just moments before they were killed
Heartbreaking footage shows Barnaby and Grace just moments before they were killedCredit: CPS/UNPIXS

What happened in Nottingham?

Police rushed to Ilkeston Road just after 4am on June 13, 2023, after witnesses revealed they heard "blood-curdling screams".

Prosecutor Karim Khalil KC said the "brutal" attack by Valdo Calocane was captured from a taxi's dashcam.

He added: "That footage shows that the devastating violence of the attacks was mirrored only by the deliberate and merciless way the defendant acted."

Once he had killed Grace and Barnaby, Calocane attempted to break into a home but was punched in the face by a stunned occupant.

Undeterred, Calocane made his way to Magdala Road where he came across caretaker Ian.

He then used a van to run down three pedestrians.

Following this, police announced a "major incident" was taking place around 7am.

In the hours that followed, police revealed that three people were dead, another was fighting for his life and two were injured.

Valdo Calocane killed the three victims in a brutal knife attack
Valdo Calocane killed the three victims in a brutal knife attackCredit: PA

Who attacked Barnaby Webber?

Calocane was identified as the man responsible and as a result, was arrested on suspicion of murder.

On June 16, three days after the attack, Valdo Calocane was charged with the triple murder.

The court was told Calocane was suffering from “extreme” mental illness at the time.

Mr Khalil told the court Calocane had been sectioned at least four times before the attack but "actively concealed symptoms of psychosis”.

In January 2024, he was locked up in Ashworth high-security hospital after pleading guilty to manslaughter by diminished responsibility.

This meant he will not be released while he continues to pose a risk to the public - which could be for the rest of his life.

During the sentencing, Mr Justice Turner said the attack was "frenzied", adding: "You committed a series of atrocities in this city which ended the lives of three people in this city.

"Your sickening crimes both shocked the nation and wrecked the lives of your surviving victims and the families of them all.

"Your mental health state does not detract from the horror of your actions and the destructive impact it has had."

He was handed an indefinite hospital order.

Calocane is to have his sentence reviewed by the Court of Appeal over concerns it was unduly lenient.

In a joint statement, the families of the victims said: “We were very glad to hear that the attorney general has agreed with us that the sentencing given to Valdo Calocane, who so viciously and calculatedly killed our loved ones, was wrong.

“We are optimistic that when this reaches the Royal Courts of Justice for its appeal there will be an outcome that provides some of the appropriate justice that we have been calling for.”

What happened to Barnaby Webber?

On June 13, 2023, Barnaby and Grace were both walking home after an end-of-term night out.

CCTV footage showed them deep in conversation as they wandered along the footpath - clueless of Calocane.

He was said to have been lying in wait for a victim and leapt at the pair with a dagger in hand that he'd pulled from his bag.

Following the attack, Grace has been hailed a "hero" for trying to save her friend who suffered "grave injuries" after he was stabbed "repeatedly".

As Barnaby collapsed, Grace bravely tried to fight Calocane off and pushed him onto the road.

However, he then turned his attention on her - and was "as uncompromisingly brutal in his assault of Grace as he was in his assault of Barnaby".

The pair were left dying on the footpath with "unsurvivable" injuries just 300 yards from their halls - while Calocane "calmly" walked away.

It was after attacking Barnaby and Grace that the killer came across caretaker Ian.

He stabbed the grandad to death, stole his van and used it to ram the three pedestrians.

The triple killer also previously admitted the attempted murders of Sharon Miller, Marcin Gawronski and Wayne Birkett - who were injured by the vehicle.

Grace Kumar was tragically killed aged 19
Grace Kumar was tragically killed aged 19Credit: PA
Ian Coates, 65, was found dead in Magdala Road
Ian Coates, 65, was found dead in Magdala RoadCredit: PA

Who are the Nottingham attack victims?

Barnaby Webber was the first Nottingham victim to be named locally.

His pal Grace Kumar, who studied at the same university, also tragically died alongside him on Ilkeston Road.

Grace was an avid hockey player who represented England under-16 and under-18 squads and local clubs including Southgate Hockey Club in north London.

The student was also a gifted cricketer, with Woodford Wells Cricket Club describing her as "fun, friendly and brilliant".

A third victim, caretaker Ian Coates, was also fatally stabbed.

Ian's sons Lee and James Coates described him as a “massive, massive football fan” and a “great father”, adding that his death had “rocked everyone’s world”.

Lee told reporters: "He was due to retire in four months, he was still grafting.

"It's rocked everyone's world."

Jamie added: "Nobody deserves this but he definitely didn't. None of them did, it's a tragedy."

How to find out more about Barnaby Webber

To learn more about the horrific event, the BBC has conducted an investigation into the story in an episode of The Big Case.

The series documents crime stories in the UK and fights for justice for those affected by the crimes.

The Big Case: Nottingham Attacks lands on BBC One on April 8, 2024, at 8.30pm.

It is also available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

Jane Matthews

Nottingham Attack, Explainers, Crime, Barnaby Webber

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