Valdo Calocane: What we know about man charged with Nottingham attacks

Valdo Calocane has been charged with the murder of three people killed in Nottingham in a knife and van attack, police have said.

Students Barnaby Webber and Grace O’Malley-Kumar, both aged 19, and 65-year-old school caretaker Ian Coates were stabbed to death on Tuesday.

Calocane, of no fixed address, is also charged with three counts of attempted murder, Nottingham Police said, in connection to three people who were struck by a van later the same day.

Chief Constable Kate Meynell, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “These charges are a significant development and arise as a result of our thorough investigation into these horrific incidents that occurred in our city.

“Our thoughts remain with the families and friends of all those affected by these attacks, and we will continue to provide support and reassurance.”

O’Malley-Kumar and Webber were found dead in Ilkeston Road in the city at around 4am on Tuesday.

Coates - described by his sons as “everyone’s friend” - was then found dead in Magdala Road after his van was allegedly stolen.

Calocane is accused of using the van to drive at pedestrians in Milton Street – an incident which resulted in one person being taken to hospital in a critical condition and two others suffering minor injuries.

Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust said two patients are now stable and one has been discharged following the van incidents.

What we know

Calocane is believed to be a university graduate from a churchgoing family and came to Britain in 2007 with his parents, who are originally from Guinea-Bissau in West Africa.

His father reportedly moved to Britain with his wife and three children, gaining settled status as EU nationals before the family moved to Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, where Calocane's mother worked as a registered nurse while his father found a job as a carer in the local community.

According to reports, Calocane was known for being bright and studious, and the family were described as churchgoers, regularly worshipping at the Calvary Church in the area.

On 15 June, Nottingham police said the suspect was a former University of Nottingham student.

Despite two of the victims also being from the university, police have said they do not believe these details are linked at this time.

One report said that Calocane's father had been living and working on the island of Madeira when he was granted Portuguese citizenship in 2006. It also said Calocane graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering last summer.