Valdo Calocane was free to carry out his killing spree after 'mental health workers feared detaining him would be racist', inquiry told

He then called his brother and told him: "This will be the last time I speak to you. Take the family out of the country."

When asked if he was going to do something stupid, Calocane replied: "It is already done."

Prosecutors, police and medical professionals will be scrutinised by the two-year public inquiry, chaired by retired senior judge Deborah Taylor, which is expected to hear from more than 100 witnesses.

The enquiry heard today how mental health professionals debated whether to section Calocane in 2020 when he tried to kick down a neighbour’s door.

However, it was decided to release him into the community after considering "research that shows over-representation of young black males in detention."

In her opening statement on Monday, counsel to the inquiry, Rachel Langdale KC, outlined concerns about Calocane’s case, who is referred to as VC in the inquiry, which will be examined.

She said: "Whilst we refer to the Nottingham attacks collectively, each attack was on an individual, and each attack is a personal tragedy for the victims, their families, and those close to them."

Calocane came to the UK from Guinea-Bissau alongside his family in 2007 when he was aged 16.

He grew up in a devout church-going family in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire and was described as a "bright and studious" boy.

A report by the Care Quality Commission said Calocane’s records make it "clear" that he was "acutely unwell" throughout the two years he was under the care of Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT).

He was psychotic and suffering from paranoid delusions before eventually being diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia in July 2020.

The regulator had said that while some risks were highlighted, other assessments "minimised or omitted key details."

These include the fact that Calocane refused to take his medication, had ongoing and persistent symptoms of psychosis, was violent to others when psychosis was not managed well, and escalated his violent behaviour in the later stages of his care.

Footage played at the inquest today showed Barnaby and Grace walking back to their student halls just after 4am on June 13, 2023.

Calocane approached the two before he pulled a dagger from his bag and began hacking at Barnaby repeatedly, causing him to suffer "grave injuries".

As he collapsed to the ground, Grace showed "incredible bravery" by attempting to fight the killer off as she shoved him into the road.

Nearby witnesses heard an "awful, blood-curdling scream" and saw Grace attempting to crawl towards a row of houses screaming for help.

Barnaby kicked his legs at the killer in a desperate bid to stop Calocane but he fled as the pair succumbed to their injuries.

Calocane then attempted to gain access to a home through a window, however was shoved away by a stunned resident.

He then made his way to Magdala Road where he came across caretaker Ian, who he stabbed to death.

Calocane then stole his van and used it to ram three pedestrians, leaving Sharon Miller, Marcin Gawronski and Wayne Birkett severely injured.

He was sentenced to an indefinite hospital order in January 2024 after admitting manslaughter by diminished responsibility and attempted murder, something which has been widely criticised by the victims’ families.