A judge has ruled that Valdo Calocane, the assailant responsible for a stabbing and van attack in Nottingham last June, should be detained indefinitely in a high-security hospital. Calocane, diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility, along with attempted murder.
The Crown Prosecution Service highlighted the “brutal,” “savage,” and “ferocious” nature of the attacks. Calocane, with a history of severe mental health issues and being sectioned four times, believed he heard voices instructing his actions.
Despite the guilty plea, Judge Mark Turner emphasized that the evidence of Calocane’s mental state does not diminish the horror and impact of his actions, stating that he remains dangerous. Calocane will receive treatment in a high-security hospital until an assessment deems him no longer a threat to the public. The judge hinted at a likely lifelong detention.
Families of the victims expressed dissatisfaction with the sentencing and highlighted missed opportunities to prevent the murders. James Coates, son of 65-year-old victim Ian Coates, held the NHS mental health trusts and the police accountable, stating that the system had allowed a murderer to escape justice.
The ruling raises questions about the effectiveness of mental health measures in preventing violent acts and the accountability of relevant authorities in managing high-risk individuals.
