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'The system is so broken': killer’s mum tells Nottingham inquiry
The Nottingham public inquiry heard from Valdo Calocane's mother, Celeste, about her struggles navigating mental health services and concerns for public safety. The timeline covers his 2020 diagnosis and hospital admissions, subsequent concerns raised by his mother, and the 2023 Nottingham attacks, along with a 2024 sentencing.
Why It Matters
The testimony highlights gaps in care for people with severe mental illness and the burden placed on families navigating complex services.
Timeline
12 Events
Sentencing after the attacks
2024
Valdo Calocane was sentenced for manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility and for attempted murder.
Nottingham attacks and morning call to Celeste
June 13, 2023
Valdo Calocane carried out a spate of attacks in Nottingham, stabbing Barnaby Webber and Grace O'Malley-Kumar and Ian Coates and attempting to kill three others. In the morning, his brother Elias contacted Celeste about a call from Valdo, who said it would be the last time Elias would hear from him and that 'it is already done'.
Last contact before killings
November 2022
Celeste said the last time she saw Valdo before the killings was in November 2022.
Consent to share care records withdrawn
December 2021
Valdo withdrew consent for details of his care to be shared with his mother.
Raising concerns about risk to others
August 2020
Celeste raised concerns in August 2020 that Valdo was a risk to other people.
Crisis team update on further incident
July 13, 2020
Two days after the July 11 contact, the crisis team informed Celeste that Valdo had attempted to break into a neighbour's flat.
Subsequent discharge and crisis team contact
July 11, 2020
Valdo Calocane was discharged again; Celeste Calocane contacted the mental health crisis team to report concerns he was becoming unwell.
Initial discharge from first admission
June 13, 2020
Valdo Calocane was discharged from Highbury Hospital following the first admission.
First admission to Highbury Hospital
May 25, 2020
Valdo Calocane was admitted to a psychiatric ward at Highbury Hospital in Nottingham after his first episode of psychosis.
Diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia
2020
Valdo Calocane was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia in 2020.
Move to the United Kingdom
2007
Valdo Calocane moved to the United Kingdom with his family when he was 16.
Birth of Valdo Calocane
1991
Valdo Calocane was born in Guinea-Bissau.