THE NHS trust that discharged twisted triple killer Valdo Calocane despite his history of violence is facing a manslaughter probe.
Nottinghamshire Healthcare Foundation Trust is under investigation after releasing the paranoid schizophrenic into the community before in June 2023.
The moment officers arrest triple killer Valdo Calocane
Calocane is serving an indefinite hospital order Credit: PA
Detectives from Northumbria will lead the inquiry as Nottinghamshire Police are themselves implicated in failings, The Times reported.
If prosecutors bring charges, it would be the first time an NHS trust has faced prosecution over failings before a violent patient was released.
Calocane, 34, murdered university students Grace O’Malley-Kumar, 19, and , 19, along with school caretaker Ian Coates, 65.
He also tried to kill three pedestrians by driving a van into them, leaving them seriously injured.
19-year-old student Barnaby Webber was killed in the horrifying knifing rampage Credit: PA
Grace O’Malley-Kumar was killed alongside Barnaby in Valdo Calocane’s rampage in June 2023 Credit: Pixel8000
Caretaker Ian Coates, 65, was also killed in the knife rampage Credit: PA
Calocane arriving at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court for an earlier hearing Credit: PA
Both Barnaby and Grace to on the morning they died.
The teens were said to be just five minutes from home when the horror unfolded.
was an , and had risen up the ranks through London’s Southgate Hockey Club.
Barnaby’s mother Emma Webber welcomed the police investigation, saying it signifies “the beginning of the reckoning”.
In a statement on Wednesday morning, Mrs Webber said: “The that Nottinghamshire Mental Trust is being investigated for corporate manslaughter is an unprecedented move that will send much-needed shockwaves across our public services, and in particular the NHS.
“This has to be the line in the sand – when those who fail, neglect and cover up, from the leaders at the top down, are fully held to account and made to recognise their failures.”
She added: “This statement today brings us no joy, but it does signify the beginning of the reckoning – in Barney’s memory, in Grace’s memory and in Ian’s memory, and for the protection of those in the future who could face another Valdo Calocane.
“We now ask that, for the first time, all of those involved who will be required to participate do so with full candour and transparency.”
Calocane is on the grounds of diminished responsibility.
Before the attacks, he had been sectioned under the Mental Health Act four times and repeatedly became violent after refusing to take his medication.
Despite that , he was repeatedly released and was discharged by the trust in September 2022 after failing to engage with treatment.
Trust bosses have reportedly been ordered to preserve all records linked to the attacks and have pledged to cooperate with the investigation.
Organisations found guilty of corporate manslaughter can receive unlimited fines.
NHS trusts have previously faced the charge twice, but both were cleared.
Between 2011 and 2024, there were 43 concluded corporate manslaughter prosecutions, with 32 ending in convictions.
Every successful prosecution involved a or organisation.
To secure a conviction, prosecutors must prove that a serious organisational failing directly caused a death.
Senior staff cannot be held responsible for mistakes made solely by junior employees.
A spokesperson for Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust said: “Northumbria Police, acting on behalf of Nottinghamshire Police, have begun an investigation into matters relating to the care and treatment of Valdo Calocane.
“We know how important the independent inquiry and police investigation are for the affected families, the survivors and our local communities.
“We will, of course, be cooperating fully with Northumbria Police, as we have with the Statutory Inquiry into these matters which is being chaired by Her Honour Deborah Taylor and which will hear final submissions from all the parties involved later this year.”
Josh Hughes, a partner and head of complex injury at law firm Bolt Burdon Kemp, said the consequences of any prosecution could be far- reaching.
He said: “The wider ramifications for the delivery of services in this country would be profound.
“Corporate manslaughter involves an exceptionally high threshold focused on systemic governance, rather than individual clinician fault.”
Northumbria Police was contacted for comment by the newspaper.
Timeline of the Nottingham attacks
THE attacks started around 4am on June 13 on Ilkeston Road, , when Calocane launched at Barnaby and Grace.
Prosecutor Karim Khalil KC said the “brutal” attack was captured from a taxi’s dashcam.
He added: “That footage shows that the devastating violence of the attacks was mirrored only by the deliberate and merciless way the defendant acted.”
Once he killed Grace and Barnaby, rampaging Calocane attempted to break into a home but was punched in the face by a stunned occupant.
Undeterred, he made his way to Magdala Road where he came across caretaker Ian.
He then used the van to run down the three pedestrians.
Police announced a “major incident” was taking place around 7am.
In the hours that followed, they revealed , another was fighting for his life and two were injured.
was identified as the man, and arrested on suspicion of murder.
The families of Grace and Barnaby the day after they were killed.
On June 16, three days after the attack, with the triple murder.
One week after the attack, one of the men who was run down by Calocane’s van opened up about the horror and said he “”.
On July 12, grandfather Ian was filled with loved ones.
Two days later, “extraordinary” Barnaby’s mum broke down in tears at his funeral – where hundreds gathered to say goodbye.
And on July 21, more than to pay tribute to Grace.
Calocane was of Grace and Barnaby, and 65-year-old grandfather on January 23.
Emma Webber's full statement
“The news that Nottinghamshire Mental Health Trust is being investigated for corporate manslaughter is an unprecedented move that will send much-needed shockwaves across our public services, and in particular the NHS.
“We have been aware this was being considered since December 2025, and a number of weeks ago were told, following a meeting with Northumbria Police, who will be leading the investigation, that the very high threshold and bar had been met.
“This means a full investigation with the involvement of the CPS will now commence, and that accountability at the organisational level we have been calling for is beginning.
“This has to be the line in the sand – when those who fail, neglect and cover up, from the leaders at the top down, are fully held to account and made to recognise their failures.
“This includes chief executives, chairmen of the board, non-executive and executive board members, as well as the negligent clinicians, practitioners and hospital managers who over a sustained period failed to manage and recognise the threat posed by Valdo Calocane.
“They chose to allow him to dictate what was happening, and therefore failed to treat a man who refused treatment, allowing him to go on to commit the murder and take the lives of three innocent souls.
“This statement today brings us no joy, but it does signify the beginning of the reckoning – in Barney’s memory, in Grace’s memory and in Ian’s memory, and for the protection of those in the future who could face another Valdo Calocane.
“We now ask that, for the first time, all of those involved who will be required to participate do so with full candour and transparency.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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