Following the brutal knife attacks by triple killer Valdo Calocane in Nottingham last June, the mother of victim Barnaby Webber, who lost her son in the city-wide rampage, expressed her profound distress upon learning that a police officer had viewed bodycam footage of her deceased or dying son.
Barnaby Webber, a University of Nottingham student, along with fellow student Grace O’Malley Kumar and school caretaker Ian Coates, fell victim to the paranoid schizophrenic’s attacks.
Revelations and Apology:
In an interview on LBC, the bereaved mother, residing in Taunton, Somerset, revealed that the police had disclosed the incident of an officer viewing the bodycam footage.
The force subsequently confirmed that a special constable had been dismissed for this action.
The mother received a letter from the police apologizing for not informing them in advance, emphasizing the seriousness of the matter, and assuring that lessons would be learned.
Despite the apology, the grieving mother expressed her inability to forgive those who viewed the footage of her son.
Officer Sacked and Disciplinary Measures:
Nottinghamshire Police disclosed that the special constable involved was terminated in December for viewing the footage on his police laptop, two months after the attack.
The officer had accessed material showing officers and paramedics providing medical assistance to the victims at the scene and after their passing.
The revelation added to the anguish of the victims’ families, who had already witnessed disciplinary actions against two officers for sharing a WhatsApp message detailing the victims’ injuries.
Legal Response and Referral to Court of Appeal:
Attorney General Victoria Prentis KC confirmed the referral of Valdo Calocane’s hospital order sentence to the Court of Appeal, deeming it unduly lenient.
Calocane’s plea of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility had been accepted by prosecutors, sparking controversy and discontent among the victims’ families.
The mother of Barnaby Webber expressed relief at the Attorney General’s decision, disputing the extent of Calocane’s diminished responsibility due to schizophrenia.
Police Investigation and Officer Accountability:
Deputy Chief Constable Steve Cooper assured a thorough investigation into the incident, indicating that two officers faced misconduct hearings.
He clarified that no one had shared images or videos related to the attacks.
The special constable’s misconduct hearing was held privately and chaired by Chief Constable Kate Meynell, leading to the officer’s dismissal and future ineligibility to work in law enforcement.
Conclusion:
The revelations surrounding the officer’s actions further intensified the pain and horror experienced by the victims’ families.
The mother’s refusal to forgive reflects the deep emotional toll caused by the incident and its aftermath.
The ongoing legal processes and investigations underscore the complexities and challenges faced by authorities in addressing the multifaceted implications of such a tragic event.
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