Tragedy struck in Nottingham when 19-year-old Barnaby Webber lost his life in a horrific knife attack. Along with two other victims, Barnaby was brutally stabbed to death in what has been described as a “despicable and murderous” rampage.
Barnaby, a university student at Nottingham University, was walking home after a night out with his friend Grace O’Malley-Kumar when they were attacked. The incident, which took place in June 2023, left Barnaby and Grace fatally wounded, with Barnaby’s mother sharing memories of her “beautiful boy” at a vigil in Nottingham.
Described as a keen sportsman and a history student, Barnaby was a beloved member of his community in Taunton, Somerset, where he attended Taunton School for sixteen years. The school community was devastated by the news of Barnaby’s tragic death, expressing their deep sorrow and sending condolences to his family.
The attacker, Valdo Calocane, was arrested and charged with the triple murder, later pleading guilty to manslaughter by diminished responsibility. Subsequently, he was sentenced to a high-security hospital, where he will remain until he no longer poses a risk to the public.
The families of the victims, including Barnaby, Grace, and caretaker Ian Coates, expressed their grief and called for justice. The sentencing of Calocane was deemed unduly lenient, prompting a review by the Court of Appeal.
The horrific incident in Nottingham shook the nation, with investigations and tributes continuing to commemorate the lives lost.
