IAN Coates had his life brutally taken away from him on June 13, 2023.
The primary school caretaker was one of three victims who were knifed to death in a horror rampage in Nottingham.
Who was Ian Coates?
Ian Coates was a school caretaker who was killed in the tragic sunrise attack in Nottingham.
He is understood to have been found dead on the side of Magdala Road at around 5.30am.
Ian was knifed by the attacker who stole his van.
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The van was then used to run over three people - leaving one man in a critical condition and two others suffering minor injuries.
Ian is thought to have only bought the van just weeks before after it was listed on eBay at the start of May.
Ian worked at the L.E.A.D. Academy Trust and Huntingdon Academy, with staff paying tribute to him.
Headteacher Ross Middleton dubbed him "a much-loved colleague who always went the extra mile for the benefit of our children".
Ross, who said Ian would be greatly missed, added: "As a school community, it will take time to process this deeply upsetting news."
L.E.A.D CEO Diana Owen said she was "deeply shocked and
saddened to hear about" the school caretaker's death.
Diana said: "Ian was a beloved and respected member of the
Huntingdon Academy staff.
"My thoughts are with his family and friends during this extremely
sad time."
Ian was a keen fisherman and Nottingham Forest fan.
He was also a father and grandfather.
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What happened in the Nottingham attack?
Ian was killed around an hour after 19-year-old local students Barnaby Webber and Grace Kumar were stabbed to death.
Grace and Barnaby were knifed as they walked home from PRYZM nightclub.
Police rushed to Ilkeston Road just after 4am on June 13, 2023, after witnesses revealed they heard "blood-curdling screams".
Police were then called to Milton Street where the stolen van was used to run over three people - leaving one man in a critical condition with two others suffering minor injuries.
Detectives - including terror cops - believe the suspect had stolen the van from nearby Magdala Road, where he killed the vehicle's owner, Ian.
The suspect was ultimately arrested at around 5.30am, after being Tasered by cops who dragged him from the vehicle.
Police confirmed before 10am that a 31-year-old had been arrested on suspicion of murder, and was being held in custody.
They then revealed they were not looking for anyone else in connection to the tragedy - while keeping an "open mind" around the alleged killer's movie.
Valdo Calocane was identified as the man responsible
Who were Grace Kumar and Barnaby Webber?
Grace Kumar and Barnaby Webber, both 19, were University of Nottingham students and the first two victims named.
The pair were said to be making their way home to student accommodation from a nightclub on the morning they died.
The teens were said to be just five minutes from home when the horror unfolded.
Barnaby was a keen cricketer, and his family dubbed him "beautiful, brilliant, and bright".
Grace was an up-and-coming England hockey star, and had risen up the ranks at London's Southgate Hockey Club.
How to find out more about Ian Coates
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.
The programme includes tributes from his fishing friends who said Ian "couldn't do enough for you".
It is also available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
