'Nottingham needs powerful voice in attacks inquiry'

Survivors of the Nottingham attacks have written to city MPs to create a "powerful voice on the national stage" amid the public inquiry, their solicitor has said.

Valdo Calocane stabbed students Barnaby Webber and Grace O'Malley-Kumar, both 19, and caretaker Ian Coates, 65, to death before striking three pedestrians with a van, seriously injuring them, on 13 June 2023.

The scope of the public inquiry, which will make recommendations to prevent similar incidents in the future, was published by the government last week, marking its official start.

Greg Almond, from Rothera Bray Solicitors, is representing two of the three survivors and said the city needed a "coordinated approach" to the probe.

Wayne Birkett and Sharon Miller, along with Marcin Gawronski, survived being struck by a van which Calocane stole from Mr Coates but were left with life-changing injuries.

Calocane, who had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia before the attacks, was sentenced to a hospital order in January 2024 after admitting three counts of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility and three counts of attempted murder.

The case has prompted a number of reviews, including a mental health homicide review commissioned by NHS England.

Earlier this year the families of Mr Webber, Ms O'Malley-Kumar and Mr Coates, alongside Ms Miller and Mr Birkett, were invited to Downing Street to discuss the details on the inquiry.

Chaired by retired judge Her Honour Deborah Taylor, it will examine the management of Calocane's risk to others, the events on the day of the attacks and timeline of incidents of unauthorised accessing of information of public servants.

On its terms of reference, Mr Almond said: "They hopefully will ensure that we get the answers that we need, both for my clients and for the people of Nottingham."

Mr Birkett and Ms Miller have written to Nottingham MPs and East Midlands mayor Claire Ward to ask for a meeting to create a "joined-up approach" and ensure recommendations from the inquiry are implemented.

"I think that's what Nottingham needs, so that there is a joined up approach from the various elected leaders," said Mr Almond.

Mr Almond said the public inquiry was "very important" to Mr Birkett and Ms Miller so they "can move forward with their lives".

He added: "They want to draw a line under this terrible incident that's affected them completely unexpectedly, they were just on the way to work.

"They want to try and hopefully get back to work if they can, and try and live a normal life."

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