The final witness in the public inquiry into the Nottingham attack tragedy has highlighted that the survivors were denied their fundamental victim rights. Valdo Calocane, a paranoid schizophrenic who had been sectioned four times prior, went on a violent spree on June 13, 2023, injuring Wayne Birkett, Sharon Miller, and Marcin Gawronski with a van. Earlier that day, he fatally stabbed students Barnaby Webber and Grace O’Malley-Kumar, along with school caretaker Ian Coates.
The former chairman of the trust admitted a missed opportunity to prevent Calocane’s deadly rampage. Victims’ Commissioner Claire Waxman stressed that families in such distress should not have to fight for their rights. The inquiry revealed that the three surviving victims of the attack were inadequately supported, with one victim, Wayne Burkett, suffering from a brain injury requiring communication adjustments.
It was highlighted that Sharon Miller was unaware she could remotely witness Calocane’s sentencing and that Mr. Birkett was not kept informed adequately. The Victims’ Code, outlining victims’ entitlements, was deemed to have failed these individuals. Calocane’s previous interactions with the police, including assault incidents, were not disclosed to the victims, raising concerns over information transparency.
The inquiry, which featured testimonies from 164 witnesses, is set to conclude with closing statements in September. Chairwoman Deborah Taylor will then issue recommendations next year based on the findings. The victims and their families expressed disappointment in the systemic failures revealed during the inquiry, emphasizing the need for accountability and reforms to prevent such tragedies in the future.
