Emma Webber, mother of Barnaby Webber, one of the victims of the Nottingham attacks, has publicly stated her profound dissatisfaction with the handling of the case and the broader mental health system in Britain. Speaking on the 'exclusive Trial' podcast, she warned that Valdo Calocane, the perpetrator, could be released in as little as five years if the country continues to treat mental health as a "hot potato."
Webber asserts that the grieving families have been subjected to an "abhorrent miscarriage of justice." This sentiment is compounded by the inquiry's disclosures, which she claims continue to validate their feelings. She has expressed a strong desire for accountability from the health staff involved in Calocane's treatment. The families have specifically requested that the names of these healthcare professionals be made public, a plea they have conveyed to the Health Secretary.
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Families Push for Transparency and Accountability
Ahead of the second anniversary of the attacks, Webber highlighted the ongoing heartache felt by the victims' families. They continue to receive messages of support from the Nottingham community. Beyond seeking answers regarding Calocane's treatment, the families are demanding that authorities be held accountable for what they perceive as systemic failures. Nottinghamshire Police had previously acknowledged that Calocane had evaded them for nine months prior to the killings.
In January 2024, Valdo Calocane was given an indefinite hospital order following a plea of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility, due to his mental health issues. However, this sentence was later challenged. The Court of Appeal declined to alter the sentence, despite protests from the victims' families who, along with the previous Tory government's Attorney General, argued it was "unduly lenient."
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Broader Review into Mental Health Services
The Health and Social Care Secretary, Victoria Atkins, has since ordered a special review into Nottinghamshire Healthcare Foundation Trust, the facility where Calocane received treatment. This review aims to provide further answers to the victims' families and will examine wider issues concerning mental health care provision in Nottinghamshire, including services at Highbury Hospital and Rampton Hospital. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is also conducting a "rapid review" into mental health services in Nottingham to identify practical actions for improving the quality and safety of care.
Background: The Nottingham Attacks
The tragic events in Nottingham occurred on June 13, 2023, when Valdo Calocane attacked several individuals. He fatally stabbed Barnaby Webber, Grace O'Malley-Kumar, and Ian Coates. He also used a stolen van to ram into three pedestrians: Sharon Miller, Marcin Gawronski, and Wayne Birkett. Calocane had been detained in hospital four times under mental health laws prior to the attacks. The families have expressed disillusionment with the legal system, with Emma Webber stating she was "foolish to trust legal system." They remain determined that the inquiry will be "fearless" and will not be appeased until they see meaningful change and accountability.
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