Nottingham killer’s sentence upheld despite family outrage
Senior judges have ruled that the sentence given to Valdo Calocane, 32, for a brutal killing spree in Nottingham is not “unduly lenient.” The decision ends an appeal over his indefinite hospital order for manslaughter and attempted murder charges.
Calocane’s chilling crimes
In June last year, Calocane fatally stabbed three victims: 19-year-old students Barnaby Webber and Grace O’Malley-Kumar, plus 65-year-old school caretaker Ian Coates. After murdering Mr. Coates, he stole his van and hit three pedestrians before police caught him.
Psychiatric diagnosis shapes sentence
Calocane pleaded guilty due to diminished responsibility after being diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. The original sentencing judge said Calocane would likely spend the rest of his life in a high-security hospital.
Appeal rejected despite push for harsher punishment
The Attorney General challenged the sentence in February as too lenient. Lawyers pushed for a “hybrid” life sentence — starting with psychiatric treatment before moving Calocane to prison. But the Court of Appeal panel dismissed this, saying they could not alter the original terms.
Victims’ families slam “injustice”
- Emma Webber, mother of one victim, said, “True justice has not been served.”
- James Coates, son of the caretaker, accused Calocane of having “got away with murder.”
The Court of Appeal could only review if the sentence was unduly lenient based on evidence at sentencing, without considering new details or changing convictions.
