Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Nottingham attacks: Man admits to killing three

Grace O'Malley-Kumar and Barnaby Webber, both 19-year-old students at the University of Nottingham, along with Ian Coates, a 65-year-old school caretaker, were killed after being stabbed in separate incidents

Nottingham attacks: Man admits to killing three

A man, identified as Valdo Calocane, 32 and also known as Adam Mendes has admitted to killing three people in a series of attacks that occurred in Nottingham in June.

Though Calocane has denied murder, he has admitted to charges of manslaughter and attempted murder on grounds of diminished responsibility.


Grace O’Malley-Kumar and Barnaby Webber, both 19-year-old students at the University of Nottingham, along with Ian Coates, a 65-year-old school caretaker, were killed after being stabbed in separate incidents.

Calocane has also admitted to the attempted murder of three others.

Webber and O'Malley-Kumar, were stabbed on Ilkeston Road shortly after 4am while Coates was discovered dead with knife wounds on Magdala Road following an alleged theft of his van.

The stolen van was used to drive into pedestrians in Milton Street and Upper Parliament Street, in the city centre causing severe injuries to Wayne Birkett, Marcin Gawronski, and Sharon Miller.

During his appearance at Nottingham Crown Court on Tuesday (28), he was seen wearing a dark suit and responded to the name Adam Mendes, The Guardian reported.

The defence lawyer Pete Joyce KC said, “the defendant does not dispute the physical acts of any of the prosecution’s case” but the defence say he “was suffering from extreme mental illness” at the time.

The case has been adjourned until January 16, pending the prosecution's review of medical evidence to decide whether to accept the pleas.

All charges stem from a 90-minute period in Nottingham during the early hours of June 13.

After the attacks, numerous people attended vigils held in memory of the victims.

O’Malley-Kumar and Webber were fatally stabbed while returning from a night out in the city. Additionally, Coates was found dead 2 miles away, having been stabbed on his way to work.

Subsequently, his van was taken into Nottingham city centre and driven into pedestrians waiting near a bus stop.

Calocane, a former engineering student at the University of Nottingham, was arrested after abandoning the vehicle and approaching officers while armed with a knife.

O’Malley-Kumar hailed from Woodford, London, where she was a medical student and a dedicated hockey player.

Eager to apply to the Royal Army Medical Corps, she was remembered as an "angelic child" at her funeral in Westminster cathedral in July.

Her father, Dr Sanjoy Kumar, fondly recalled her as someone who constantly strived to serve her country and community, describing her as truly amazing.

Webber, a history student from Taunton, Somerset, was described by his family as a “beautiful, brilliant, bright young man” who had a passion for cricket.

Coates who was approaching retirement was known for his support of Nottingham Forest and for establishing a fishing club to assist young individuals. His sons said his death had deeply impacted everyone.

More For You

11th UK Gatka Championship

All winners received medals and trophies

UK Parliament

11th UK Gatka Championship ends with Welsh debut and £1,000 support for Gatka Akharas

Highlights:

  • The 11th UK National Gatka Championship was hosted near Cardiff, marking the first time in Wales.
  • Winners included Roop Kaur (girls), Navjot Singh (boys), and Gurdeep Singh (men’s).
  • Gatka Federation UK awarded £1,000 to each participating Akhara to support martial arts promotion.
  • Chief guests included MP Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi and Harjeet Singh Grewal, President of the World Gatka Federation.

Gatka Championship marks Welsh debut

The 11th UK National Gatka Championship concluded on a high note near Cardiff, Wales, showcasing the traditional Sikh martial art with flair. Seven leading Gatka Akharas participated, thrilling spectators with their lightning-fast strikes, precision moves and elegant techniques.

Inauguration by global leaders

The tournament was inaugurated by Harjeet Singh Grewal, President of the World Gatka Federation (WGF) and the National Gatka Association of India (NGAI). He was joined by Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi MP, President of Gatka Federation UK, alongside other dignitaries including Jagbir Singh Jagga Chakar, President of Wales Kabaddi Club, and community leaders from the Haveli Hotel Pontyclun.

Keep ReadingShow less
Vantara

The site, located in Gujarat, houses hundreds of elephants, as well as 50 bears, 160 tigers, 200 lions, 250 leopards, and 900 crocodiles. (Photo: Instagram/Vantara)

India court probe clears Ambani family’s animal centre

AN INDIAN Supreme Court-ordered investigation has cleared a large private animal facility run by the son of Asia’s richest man, rejecting allegations of wildlife violations.

Vantara, described as the “world’s biggest wild animal rescue centre,” is operated by Anant Ambani, son of Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani.

Keep ReadingShow less
Starmer

Starmer, who has faced negative coverage since taking office in July 2024, defended the appointment process.

Reuters

Starmer: I would not have appointed Mandelson if aware of Epstein ties

PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer said on Monday he would not have appointed Peter Mandelson as UK ambassador to Washington had he known the extent of his links with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

This was Starmer’s first public statement since dismissing Mandelson last week. The prime minister is facing questions over his judgement, including from Labour MPs, after initially standing by Mandelson before removing him from the post.

Keep ReadingShow less
Trump

Trump said the suspect had been arrested earlier for 'terrible crimes,' including child sex abuse, grand theft auto and false imprisonment, but was released under the Biden administration because Cuba refused to take him back.

Getty Images

Trump says accused in Dallas motel beheading will face first-degree murder charge

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump has described Chandra Mouli “Bob” Nagamallaiah, the Indian-origin motel manager killed in Dallas, as a “well-respected person” and said the accused will face a first-degree murder charge.

Nagamallaiah, 50, was killed last week at the Downtown Suites motel by co-worker Yordanis Cobos-Martinez, a 37-year-old undocumented Cuban immigrant with a criminal history.

Keep ReadingShow less
Starmer Mandelson

Starmer talks with Mandelson during a welcome reception at the ambassador's residence on February 26, 2025 in Washington, DC.

Getty

Starmer under pressure from party MPs after Mandelson dismissal

PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer is facing questions within the Labour party after the sacking of US ambassador Peter Mandelson.

Mandelson was removed last week after Bloomberg published emails showing messages of support he sent following Jeffrey Epstein’s conviction for sex offences. The dismissal comes just ahead of US president Donald Trump’s state visit.

Keep ReadingShow less