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Valdo Calocane in court over Nottingham stab attacks
Ian Coates, Barnaby Webber and Grace O’Malley-Kumar died at the scene of the attacks
A man has appeared in court charged with the murders of three people who died in attacks in Nottingham.
Valdo Calocane, 31, is accused of killing 19-year-old students Barnaby Webber and Grace O’Malley-Kumar and school caretaker Ian Coates, 65.
He appeared at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court but spoke only to confirm his name, giving an alias of Adam Mendes.
He was remanded in custody and is due to face a hearing at Nottingham Crown Court on 20 June.
University of Nottingham students Mr Webber and Ms O’Malley-Kumar were fatally stabbed on Ilkeston Road just after 04:00 BST on Tuesday, while Mr Coates was found dead with knife injuries on Magdala Road after his van was allegedly stolen.
Mr Calocane, of no fixed address, is also charged with three counts of attempted murder after a van was used to drive at three pedestrians, Wayne Birkett, Marcin Gawronski and Sharon Miller.
He appeared in the dock wearing a grey T-shirt and grey jogging bottoms, and flanked by three security officers. He was not required to enter a plea at this stage.
One man was struck by the van on Milton Street and left in a critical condition, but a Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) NHS Trust spokesman said he was now stable.
Police said an attempt was also made to run over two other pedestrians in the Sherwood Street area. They are believed to have suffered minor injuries.
Image source, Nottingham City Council
Thousands gathered in Nottingham city centre to remember Mr Coates, Mr Webber and Ms O’Malley-Kumar on Thursday
Police previously revealed Mr Calocane was a former University of Nottingham student, but said it was not being linked to their inquiry.
The dual Guinea-Bissau/Portuguese national had settled status in the UK through his Portuguese citizenship.
The BBC understands he grew up in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire.
The deaths prompted an outpouring of grief in the city and beyond.
Thousands of people gathered at emotional vigils – at the university on Wednesday and then in the Old Market Square in the city centre on Thursday – where relatives addressed the crowds and paid tribute to their loved ones.
Ms O’Malley-Kumar’s father (right) and Mr Webber’s parents embraced at a vigil held at the University of Nottingham on Wednesday
Mr Webber, from Taunton, Somerset, was a first-year history student and keen cricketer, described as “fun, friendly, and full of life in his seminars”.
Ms O’Malley-Kumar, from north-east London, was in her first year of studying medicine, while playing top-flight hockey at university. Her family said she was “an adored daughter and sister”.
Mr Coates worked at the Huntingdon Academy in Nottingham and was four months from retirement.
His sons, Lee and James, said he was a keen fisherman and “die-hard” Nottingham Forest fan.
Relatives of Mr Webber, including his father David (second left), laid flowers at the spot where he was stabbed on Ilkeston Road
On Friday, Mr Webber’s family visited the scene of where he was stabbed.
They said they laid flowers on Ilkeston Road because “we owe it to both Barnaby and Grace to let them know we are here”.
“As has been expressed by so many already, heartbreak cannot begin to describe our loss,” they added.
“As painful as this tribute today has been, it is yet another step forward on the very long, dark journey we have been forced to take.”
