Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Government appeals against Nottingham killer's ‘unduly lenient’ sentence

Grace O'Malley Kumar, 19, and two others were killed in June last year

Government appeals against Nottingham killer's ‘unduly lenient’ sentence

THE government approached the Court of Appeal over the “unduly lenient” sentence imposed on a 32-year-old man guilty of killing a British Indian teenage student, her friend and a school caretaker in Nottingham last year.

Valdo Calocane was sentenced to a mental health order to be detained in a high-security hospital following a hearing at Nottingham Crown Court over the stabbing spree in the central England city in June 2023.


Grace O’Malley Kumar, 19, was a medical student who was returning to her university with Barnaby Webber when accosted by Calocane, who then went on to murder Ian Coates nearby.

“Valdo Calocane’s crimes were horrific and have shocked a nation. He brutally killed three innocent people, and violently attacked three other victims. Their experiences will stay in our minds for a long time to come,” UK attorney general Victoria Prentis said in a statement on Tuesday (20).

“This was a case that evoked strong feelings amongst so many people and it was no surprise that I received so many referrals under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme to consider the hospital order handed to Calocane. My duty as a law officer in considering whether sentences may be unduly lenient is to act independently of government, even when it is not easy or popular.

“Having received detailed legal advice and considered the issues raised very carefully, I have concluded that the sentence imposed against Calocane, for the offences of manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility and attempted murder, was unduly lenient and will be referred to the Court of Appeal,” she said.

Grace 1 Grace O'Malley-Kumar (L) with her family

The minister added that her thoughts remain with Calocane’s victims, as well as their families and friends, who have shown such “immeasurable strength during this devastating time”.

Calocane was sentenced on January 25 to a Hospital Order with a Restriction Order under Sections 37 and 41 of the UK Mental Health Act 1983.

The attorney general’s office said the case received numerous 'unduly lenient' sentence referrals from the public on the day of sentencing itself which led to the government’s law officers reviewing the sentence that Calocane was convicted on, which was manslaughter by diminished responsibility and attempted murder offences.

The case will now be lodged with the Court of Appeal this week.

The Court of Appeal is the final arbiter on whether the sentence should be amended or not. The court may decide to keep the sentence the same, increase it, or refuse the application.

Under the unduly lenient sentence scheme, England’s law officers are only able to consider the sentences for the offences of which Calocane was convicted. They are not able to consider whether he should have been charged with different offences or whether it was right to accept pleas to offences.

Meanwhile, an independent inspection will be undertaken of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) actions in this case.

Grace, a medical student and cricket lover, was the daughter of London-based doctors Sanjoy Kumar and Sinead O’Malley. She was walking back to her university in Nottingham with Webber when they were attacked and stabbed to death.

Coates was killed nearby and his van was used for a number of attempted murder incidents on the day.

The incident sent shockwaves across the country and thousands attended vigils at the university and Market Square in Nottingham in memory of the victims in the wake of the attack.

(PTI)

More For You

Spring-clock-change-iStock

Circadian rhythms regulate physiological processes in living organisms, including plants, animals, and even bacteria. (Photo: iStock)

How the spring clock change impacts sleep and health

EVERY YEAR, about a quarter of the world's population adjusts their clocks for daylight saving time (DST).

While it may seem like a small change, some experience fatigue, irritability, and brain fog in the days that follow. For night owls, the adjustment can take weeks.

Keep ReadingShow less
Myanmar-quake-rescue-Reuters

Rescuers carry the body of a victim during search and rescue operations, following a strong earthquake, in Bangkok, Thailand, March 30. (Photo: Reuters)

Myanmar earthquake death toll rises to 1,700, UK pledges £10m in aid

RESCUE efforts continued in Myanmar as residents searched for survivors in collapsed buildings in Mandalay, two days after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck the country. The disaster has killed at least 1,700 people in Myanmar and 17 in neighbouring Thailand.

The quake hit near Mandalay on Friday afternoon, followed minutes later by a 6.7-magnitude aftershock. The tremors caused widespread destruction, damaging buildings, bridges, and roads in the city of more than 1.7 million people.

Keep ReadingShow less
Andrew Tate Sued by Ex-Girlfriend Brianna Stern Over Sexual Assault Allegations

Tate’s attorney, Joseph McBride, has dismissed the lawsuit

Getty

Andrew Tate faces sexual assault lawsuit from ex-girlfriend Brianna Stern

Social media personality Andrew Tate is facing a new lawsuit from his ex-girlfriend, Brianna Stern, who has accused him of sexual assault, battery, and gender violence. The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles, details allegations of abuse and an incident that allegedly took place at The Beverly Hills Hotel on 11 March 2025.

Allegations in the lawsuit

According to the legal complaint, Stern claims that Tate initially appeared as a "dream come true" but later became emotionally and physically abusive. The lawsuit describes a violent encounter at the hotel, where she alleges Tate physically assaulted and threatened her.

Keep ReadingShow less
Voices of Faith 2025: A journey through spirituality and wisdom

Soumik Datta (R) and Gurdain Singh Rayatt

Voices of Faith 2025: A journey through spirituality and wisdom

Mahesh Liloriya

The inaugural edition of Voices of Faith commenced on Friday at the iconic Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London, marking the beginning of an extraordinary three-day festival exploring theological philosophies, interfaith dialogues, and the deeper essence of spirituality through conversations, music, and healing vibes.

Organised by Teamwork Arts, the creators of the Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) and JLF London, Voices of Faith is presented by the Kamini and Vindi Banga Family Trust, with the support of Tech Mahindra. Eastern Eye and Garavi Gujarat serve as the official media partners of this landmark event. This unique festival seeks to offer insights into navigating the complexities of modern life through the timeless wisdom enshrined in global religious traditions. It focuses on the universal ideals of compassion and interconnectedness that underpin the world’s faiths, fostering dialogue that transcends barriers and deepens mutual understanding.

Keep ReadingShow less
Court reopens Asian child sex offender's deportation case

Home Office successfully challenged a ruling that allowed him to remain in Britain (Photo for representation: iStock)

Court reopens Asian child sex offender's deportation case

A PAKISTANI man convicted of sexually assaulting a child under 13 will face a fresh deportation hearing after the Home Office successfully challenged a ruling that allowed him to remain in Britain, reported The Times.

The offender, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had initially won his case to stay in the UK after claiming he would face "inhuman or degrading treatment" if sent back to Pakistan due to his alcoholism.

Keep ReadingShow less