Nottingham attacks: Victims’ families speak at University vigil

Three people who were injured when they were knocked down by a van during a killing spree in Nottingham have been officially named for the first time.

Wayne Birkett, Marcin Gawronski and Sharon Miller were all hurt after the vehicle rammed into them on Milton Street and Upper Parliament Street in the city.

The van belonged to Ian Coates, one of three people stabbed to death minutes earlier. Students Grace O’Malley Kumar and Barnaby Webber were also killed.

Mr Birkett is believed to have got off a bus early in order to walk to work at the ABB Furse factory in Wilford Road, a lightning protection company. He was hit shortly afterwards.

ABB UK Management team told Nottinghamshire Live: “ABB are appalled and saddened by the tragic events in Nottingham city centre on the 13th June 2023.

“With respect for those involved and their families, while we can confirm that an ABB employee was a victim in the incident, we will not comment on individual circumstances, but focus on supporting our colleague, our workforce and others directly affected.

“Our thoughts are with the people of Nottingham and the friends and families impacted by these tragic events.”

Magistrates today remanded Valdo Calocane, 31, in custody by magistrates on suspicion of the murder of Mr Coates, from Nottingham, medical student Ms O’Malley, from Woodford in London and history student Mr Webber, from Taunton in Somerset, as well as the attempted murder of Mr Birkett, Mr Gawronski and Ms Miller

The defendant, flanked by three security guards, spoke only to confirm his name as “Adam Mendes”, his date of birth and that he was of no fixed abode, and was not required to enter any pleas to the charges.

Calocane is also charged with the assault of a police constable after an incident in Nottingham in September 2021.

The charge of assaulting an emergency worker will next be heard at the same court on June 26.

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The family of Mr Webber have said they are “devastated” at the “senseless murder of our son”, describing him as a “beautiful, brilliant, bright young man, with everything in life to look forward to”.

Ms O’Malley-Kumar’s family called her a “truly wonderful and beautiful young lady” and that she would be “so dearly missed”.

Mr Coates’ sons said his death had “rocked everyone’s world”, adding: “Nobody deserves this but he definitely didn’t.”

The suspect is a former University of Nottingham student, but police believe “this is not believed to be connected with the attack”.

Chairwoman of the bench of magistrates, Allison Folkett, remanded him into custody to appear at Nottingham Crown Court on Tuesday.

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