The last witness of the public inquiry into the Nottingham attack tragedy highlighted the lack of proper treatment of survivors as victims.
Valdo Calocane, a paranoid schizophrenic, had been sectioned four times before he used a van to harm Wayne Birkett, Sharon Miller, and Marcin Gawronski during a violent incident in the city on June 13, 2023. Earlier that day, he fatally stabbed students Barnaby Webber and Grace O’Malley-Kumar, as well as school caretaker Ian Coates.
The former chairman of the trust acknowledged a missed opportunity to prevent Calocane’s deadly spree. Victims’ Commissioner Claire Waxman emphasized that families in such distress should not have to fight for their rights.
During the inquiry, it was revealed that the three surviving victims of the Nottingham attacks were not adequately supported, with communication challenges faced by Wayne Birkett due to a brain injury and Sharon Miller’s inability to attend the sentencing hearing. The inquiry questioned the lack of care and attention provided to these victims.
The Victims’ Code outlines key rights for crime victims, including support from law enforcement and the legal system. Wayne Birkett expressed frustration over not being informed about Calocane’s prior interactions with the police, raising concerns about transparency.
Testimonies revealed that Calocane had a history of police involvement, but this information was not effectively communicated to the victims. The mother of one victim expressed disappointment over the system failures exposed during the inquiry.
The inquiry, featuring 164 witnesses, is nearing its conclusion, with closing statements expected in September. Chairwoman Deborah Taylor will then provide recommendations based on the findings.
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