The ongoing inquiry into the tragic Nottingham killings has unveiled significant oversight by the Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, with former chairman Paul Devlin acknowledging a “missed opportunity” to prevent the violence that claimed three lives. Valdo Calocane, who had a history of mental health issues, was able to carry out fatal attacks in June 2023, despite previous encounters with the trust that could have informed a more proactive response.
A History of Oversight
On June 13, 2023, Nottingham was rocked by a violent incident when Calocane, armed with a rucksack filled with weapons, attacked students Barnaby Webber and Grace O’Malley-Kumar—both just 19 years old—as well as 65-year-old caretaker Ian Coates. The shocking events unfolded in the early hours, leading to further attempts on the lives of pedestrians in the city centre using a stolen vehicle.
During the inquiry, it was revealed that just months before these attacks, in August 2022, a fatal incident involving another former patient of the trust occurred. This patient, whose identity has not been disclosed, had previously accessed the trust’s mental health services. The inquiry has raised questions about the trust’s handling of these incidents and its duty of care to the community.
Acknowledging the Failures
Devlin, who served as chairman until December 2025, conceded that the board failed to take adequate action in response to the alarming events that transpired in 2022. Counsel James Weston pointed out that as Calocane’s discharge from the trust approached, the board had not implemented any meaningful measures to address the previous incident involving the other patient.
Devlin responded affirmatively when pressed on