Nottingham attacks: Victims’ families speak at University vigil

The mother of a student killed in the Nottingham knife and van rampage said today: “We’re still a family of four, it’s just one of us isn’t here right now.”

Emma Webber and husband David paid an emotional tribute to son Barnaby Webber during a vigil at Taunton-based Bishops Hull Cricket Club, where he used to play.  The 19-year-old was fatally stabbed along with Grace O’Malley-Kumar, also 19, and Ian Coates, 65, during last Tuesday’s attacks.

Speaking at the vigil today (Sunday June 18),  Mrs Webber said: “It’s overwhelming the outpouring of love and support. This is his true home, his people.

“Today we wanted to come and see what this wonderful club has done for him. It’s been healing.”

Mrs Webber said her son’s body was “coming home” tomorrow (June 19).  Barnaby, a student at Nottingham University, was described as an avid cricketer.

During the vigil, his father David Webber spoke about the “amazing” support the family has received from across the UK.

He said: “It gives us strength and I’m sure it gives Grace and Ian’s family strength. We always knew [Barnaby] was special, we always knew he was a beautiful human being and a lovely soul.

“People were coming up to me and saying, ‘I don’t know you Mr Webber, but your son was lovely, so much fun, he really helped me’.

“I found he was like a glue to all these different groups of friends.”

Mrs Webber said it was “hugely important” to remember all three of the victims.

“We are in touch with Grace’s family a lot and I hope we’ll be able to with Ian’s family as well because we are intrinsically linked now,” she said.

The family said the Somerset vigil was a “reflection and celebration of a wonderful young man so cruelly taken away at the very prime of his life”.

Mrs Webber said her son’s body was “coming home” tomorrow.

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

“That will be the next really big step for us, to know he’s here,” she said.  “We’re still a family of four, it’s just that one of us is not here right now.”

The vigil was held as prayers were said at faith services across Nottingham for the victims. On Friday, the England and Australia men’s cricket team paid tribute to the victims ahead of the first Ashes test, while the cricketers of Somerset and Surrey held a minute’s applause in their memory.

Suspect Valdo Calocane, 31, has been remanded in custody accused of murdering the three victims.

Calocane is also alleged to have attempted to murder three pedestrians – Wayne Birkett, Marcin Gawronski and Sharon Miller – after Mr Coates’ van was used to drive at people in Milton Street and Upper Parliament Street.

He will next appear at Nottingham Crown Court on Tuesday (June 20).

Source: Read Full Article