The final witness in the public inquiry for the Nottingham attack tragedy highlighted that the survivors were denied their fundamental victim rights. Valdo Calocane, a paranoid schizophrenic, had been sectioned four times before causing harm to Wayne Birkett, Sharon Miller, and Marcin Gawronski in a violent van rampage in the city on June 13, 2023. Earlier that day, he fatally stabbed students Barnaby Webber and Grace O’Malley-Kumar, as well as 65-year-old school caretaker Ian Coates.
The former chairman of the trust, Paul Devlin, acknowledged a missed opportunity to prevent Calocane’s deadly actions. Victims’ Commissioner Claire Waxman emphasized that families in such situations should not bear the burden of advocating for their rights.
During the inquiry, it was revealed that the three surviving victims of the Nottingham attacks were inadequately supported, with only one Family Liaison Officer assigned to them. Concerns were raised about communication challenges, especially for Wayne Birkett, who suffered a brain injury. Sharon Miller, another survivor, was not informed about options to participate in legal proceedings remotely.
The Victims’ Code outlines key entitlements for crime victims, including support from law enforcement and the judicial system. However, shortcomings in delivering these rights were evident in the Nottingham case, raising questions about accountability.
The inquiry, featuring testimony from 164 witnesses, is nearing its conclusion, with closing statements expected in September. Chairwoman Deborah Taylor will then present her recommendations in the following year. The inquiry also uncovered failures in various organizations, prompting calls for reforms to prevent similar tragedies in the future.