Nottingham Attack Inquiry Reveals Police Warning to Woman Who Escaped Valdo Calocane
A woman who suffered a broken back after falling from a window to flee Nottingham attacker Valdo Calocane was explicitly warned by police that he could have killed her, a public inquiry has heard. This shocking revelation underscores critical missed opportunities in the lead-up to Calocane's deadly spree in 2023, where he killed three people and attempted to murder three others.
Escalating Incident and Police Response
Three years prior to the attacks, on May 24, 2020, Calocane attempted to force his way into the woman's student accommodation flat while she was showering. Fearing for her life, she leaped from a first-floor window, approximately 10 to 12 feet high, fracturing her spine and requiring surgery. Despite the severity of the incident, police detained Calocane but opted to take him to a mental health unit instead of charging him with a criminal offense.
The woman recounted to the inquiry that officers informed her Calocane could not be prosecuted due to his mental health issues, specifically mentioning schizophrenia. She expressed frustration, stating, "I was very upset and angry. I thought this was not enough, the psychiatric hospital was not enough, but because there were no other possibilities I accepted it." An officer later visited her in the hospital, praising her bravery and warning that Calocane could have been violent or even lethal if he had reached her.
Missed Opportunities and Systemic Failures
Earlier on the same day in 2020, Calocane had been arrested for causing criminal damage to another door in the same building. However, the inquiry heard that this incident did not receive the attention it deserved from officers. Police body-worn camera footage from that initial arrest could not be located, further complicating the investigation. Mental health professionals involved in his release considered research on the disproportionate detention of young black men, leading to his return to the community despite concerning behavior, including reports of seeing "devils and demons."
Background of the Nottingham Attacks
In June 2023, Calocane carried out a series of violent attacks in Nottingham, resulting in the deaths of University of Nottingham students Barnaby Webber and Grace O'Malley-Kumar, both 19, and 65-year-old caretaker Ian Coates. He admitted to manslaughter by diminished responsibility and attempted murder, receiving an indefinite hospital order in January 2024. The current inquiry, chaired by former judge Deborah Taylor, aims to uncover the events leading up to these tragedies and provide recommendations by 2027.
Impact on the Survivor
The woman, who had never encountered Calocane before the 2020 incident, described living in constant pain following her surgery. She recalled the terrifying moments: "I could see that the door was shaking, I could feel it coming off. I thought as a matter of fact it was a group of thieves or someone who wanted to hurt me." With no one around due to COVID-19 lockdowns, she felt isolated and scared, ultimately making the desperate jump to escape. After her fall, Calocane attempted to approach her, but police intervened and pinned him down.
This case highlights ongoing concerns about how mental health issues are handled in criminal investigations and the potential consequences of inadequate responses. The inquiry continues to gather evidence, with findings expected to inform future policies and procedures to prevent similar oversights.
