Nottingham Triple Killer Assaulted Police Officer Two Years Before Deadly Stabbings
An inquiry has revealed that Valdo Calocane, the man responsible for the fatal Nottingham stabbings, violently attacked a police officer less than two years prior to the killings. Calocane, diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, was refusing medication and launched an unprovoked assault on Nottinghamshire Police Constable Barnaby Pritchard in September 2021.
Details of the 2021 Police Assault
PC Pritchard testified at a London inquiry that he was called to Calocane's Nottingham address on 3 September 2021, where the former student was resisting medical detention. According to the officer, Calocane appeared "very calm" initially but suddenly began punching him "completely out of the blue." The attack escalated as Calocane headbutted PC Pritchard and swung handcuffs at him as a weapon, causing swelling and bruising to the officer's face.
PC Pritchard described the incident, stating, "At the time, he wasn't demonstrating any warning signs that he could begin assaulting me. As soon as I stepped in the room, he began just swinging completely out of the blue. He began punching me repeatedly." The officer suffered significant pain and discomfort from the injuries.
Use of Force and Calocane's Statements
To restrain Calocane, police deployed a Taser twice and used Pava spray, an irritant. Body-worn camera footage played at the inquiry captured Calocane making cryptic remarks, such as "I don't have a history of mistreating women" upon the arrival of female officers and "Gentlemen, if you want to take me out, I prefer you do it." After the assault, Calocane commented, "You didn't go down," which PC Pritchard interpreted as possible male bravado.
Background and Prior Incidents
The inquiry heard that Calocane was taken to Highbury Hospital, a mental health facility, after the 2021 attack. It was also revealed that two months earlier, Calocane had engaged in threatening behavior towards his flatmate, including pushing him against a wall and stalking him home on two occasions. These incidents were reported to police, but no further action was taken at the time.
Connection to the 2023 Nottingham Attacks
Less than two years after assaulting PC Pritchard, Calocane carried out deadly knife attacks in Nottingham on 13 June 2023, killing University of Nottingham undergraduates Barnaby Webber and Grace O'Malley-Kumar, both 19, and grandfather Ian Coates, 65. He also attempted to kill three others during the rampage. The mother of one victim has expressed that Calocane "should not have been out in society."
The inquiry continues to examine the events leading up to the Nottingham attacks, focusing on Calocane's mental health history and prior interactions with authorities.
