12 June 2024 , 17:04
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The mum of Nottingham rampage victim Barnaby Webber has said she believes her son was in a romantic relationship with Grace O'Malley-Kumar - who died as she tried to defend her pal.
Emma Webber hailed Grace a 'hero' and she says for the first time she thinks the pair were an 'item'. Barnaby and Grace, both 19, were walking home from a night out together when they were brutally killed.
CCTV of their final moments - which Emma cannot bear to watch - shows them strolling side by side. The teenage pair have always been described as friends - but Emma is convinced they were an item.
Asked if they were in a romantic relationship, she says: “Yeah, I think so, some form or another. I know she meant a huge amount to him, because he never spoke about girls with me, but he had told me about Grace.
Barnaby is pictured with his brother Charlie (Webber Family)The first time he introduced Grace into the story for us was before Christmas 2022. He said he was going out with his best friend that night for a couple of drinks.
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Emma Webber, mother of Barnaby Webber who was murdered alongside his friend Grace O'Malley-Kumar (Rowan Griffiths / Daily Mirror)“I said, ‘Oh, what’s he called?’ He said, ‘Actually, it’s a she. And she’s called Grace. She’s really good at hockey, you’d love her’. For him to say that made me realise he had feelings. He had a serious girlfriend previously and lots of ‘liaisons’, but there was clearly something special about Grace.”
Grace O’Malley-Kumar was a keen hockey player studying in Nottingham (Nottinghamshire Police / SWNS)
Dr Sinead O'Malley, Grace's dad, is pictured in May (Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)The talented hockey player, from Woodford Green, east London, bravely tried to stop Calocane attacking Barnaby. There are now calls for Grace to be awarded the George Cross in recognition of her remarkable bravery.
“Grace tried to save her friend,” says Emma. “Barney did not stand a chance because he was ambushed by this awful, evil coward. But Grace will always be my hero. She could have run. It doesn’t get more heroic than that.”
School caretaker Ian Coates, 65, was found dead in Magdala Road (PA)Nottinghamshire Police said: “In accordance with existing [NPCC/IOPC] protocol, Nottinghamshire Police is unable to comment directly on matters which are included in the IOPC’s ongoing independent investigation into complaints raised by the families of Valdo Calocane’s victims.
"This is to avoid possible prejudice to any future potential proceedings and is standard practice which applies to all police forces when cases are under investigation by the IOPC. We are co-operating fully and supporting the IOPC with its enquiries.”
Speaking ahead of today’s vigil, Chief Constable Kate Meynell said: “On the morning of 13 June 2023, devastating events took place in our city which resulted in the loss of three innocent lives.
“My thoughts today are with the families and friends of Barnaby, Grace, Ian, and those that were seriously injured. “On behalf of all of us at Nottinghamshire Police, I will be laying a wreath and lighting a candle in the city in their memory and paying my respects, alongside other local civic leaders. We will never forget this tragic loss of life.”