Watchdog calls for government to change murder laws after Nottingham attacks
Murder laws should be overhauled in the wake of the Nottingham attacks which left three people dead, the CPS Inspectorate has urged.
The watchdog called on the government to change the homicide law following attacks by Valdo Calocane, 32, a paranoid schizophrenic.
The report, ordered by Attorney General Victoria Prentis, said ministers should consider re-categorising homicide laws, as recommended by the Law Commission nearly 20 years ago, to make three tiers of charges available to prosecutors – first degree and second degree murder, as well as manslaughter.
Calocane killed students Grace O'Malley-Kumar and Barnaby Webber, both 19, and school caretaker Ian Coates, 65, in the early hours of 13 June last year.
He was sentenced to an indefinite hospital order in January 2024 after the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) decided to accept his guilty pleas to manslaughter.
He also admitted three counts of attempted murder relating to pedestrians he deliberately targeted with Mr Coates' van.
The review of the actions taken by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), published on Monday, found prosecutors complied with the law and met their obligations to the families of Calocane’s victims, but also highlighted areas where grieving relatives “could have been better supported”.
The review concluded CPS also made the correct decision to accept Calocane’s pleas of guilty to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility and attempted murder for the three surviving victims.
The inspection found that the CPS complied with the law and met their obligations to the families. But also highlighted areas where the families could have been better supported during the process.
To better support victims and clarify the law, HMCPSI is calling on the Government to consider:
Whether homicide should be categorised into three tiers, as recommended by the Law Commission in 2006.
Whether the culpability of the person who commits murder should be reduced to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility.
If homicide is not to be categorised into three tiers and diminished responsibility is not to be a partial defence to murder, whether the mandatory life sentence should remain for all cases of murder.
Whether the support provided by the existing Victims’ Code and Bereaved Family Scheme should be reconsidered and clarify when victims are entitled to be ‘consulted’ about decisions taken as opposed to being ‘informed’.
Chief Inspector Anthony Rogers said: “This was a horrific and tragic case. Valdo Calocane brutally killed three innocent people, and violently attacked three other victims. My thoughts remain with all those involved in this tragic case during this devastating time.
“It is unimaginable having to deal with the death of a loved one under such horrific circumstances, but having to deal with the criminal justice system at a time of heartbreak and grief adds a further dimension of challenge.
“To better support victims and increase public trust, we call on the government to consider amending the homicide law, review the support provided to victims of crime in serious cases such as this, and provide greater clarity about the role of victims in the criminal justice system.”
The Police and Crime Commissioner for Nottinghamshire today added her voice to the calls for a public inquiry into the Valdo Calocane case.
PCC Caroline Henry met with the families of Grace O'Malley-Kumar, Barnaby Webber and Ian Coates this afternoon to hear of their campaign to understand the circumstances surrounding the killings.
In a statement released after the meeting she said: “I want to thank the families of Grace O'Malley-Kumar, Barnaby Webber and Ian Coates for meeting me today.
“I have been humbled by the bravery and determination they have shown, in the face of such devastating personal tragedy, to ensure that positive change comes from the terrible events that unfolded in the early hours of 13 June 2023.
“In that desire for change they have my full support. We must all stand together in our determination and commitment to ensure everything is done to prevent a similar tragedy.
“While I welcome the multitude of enquiries and investigations being launched by the agencies involved in this case they will likely focus on how each agency acted and not necessarily how they interacted.
“I have listened to the families and want to add my voice to their calls for a public inquiry.
“Whatever happens I have given the family my absolute unwavering commitment to ensuring that any and all recommendations emerging from these processes are actioned quickly and effectively.”
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