Friends and family to pay respects at funeral of Nottingham attack victim Barnaby Webber
The funeral of one of the victims of the Nottingham attacks in June is taking place today (Friday 14 July).
Family and friends will gather in Taunton, Somerset to pay their respects to 19-year-old Barnaby Webber who died after being attacked in Nottingham on 13 June.
Hundreds of people, including friends from Taunton School and the University of Nottingham, are expected fill Taunton Minister while many more will gather outside to watch as the service is relayed on large screens.
Several roads near the church are being closed off during the service due to the large crowds expected to attend.
Following his death, his parents David and Emma Webber, and younger brother Charlie, paid tribute to him, saying he was "at the start of his journey into adulthood and was developing into a wonderful young man".
"His family welcome everyone from Taunton and beyond who wish to pay tribute to this wonderful young man," a family spokeswoman said.
"Barnaby’s family take great strength from all the support they have been receiving and say all who want to remember him are welcome.
"Barnaby was a Taunton boy through and through, and his family take great comfort in the care and support they have received from his home town and beyond.”
Following the service, a private cremation will take place for the history student.
Mr Webber, who was a keen cricketer, died alongside medical student Grace O’Malley-Kumar, 19, from Woodford, London.
The friends were stabbed as they walked home from a night out, with 65-year-old school caretaker Ian Coates killed around an hour later.
Since their deaths both families have set up charity foundations in their honour.
An inquest into their deaths heard all three had died as a result of stab wounds.
Valdo Calocane, 31, is charged with their murder and the attempted murder of three pedestrians by driving a van into them in the city centre.
Calocane, who has identified himself as Adam Mendes in previous court appearances, will face trial in January next year, pending a plea hearing on September 25.