Crime

Prosecutors accept manslaughter plea from former Haverfordwest resident

Published

2 years ago

January 23, 2024

VALDO CALOCANE a university graduate who formerly lived in Haverfordwest, pleaded guilty to manslaughter on grounds of diminished responsibility due to mental illness, in the harrowing Nottingham stabbings case. Known also as Adam Mendes, Calocane admitted to the killing of three and the attempted murder of three others during a spree of violence on 13 June last year.

Details of Calocane’s early life in Haverfordwest and his academic prowess came to light following the incident. He completed a degree in mechanical engineering and resided near Ilkeston Road in Nottingham, close to where the tragic events unfolded.

The first attack, as revealed in Nottingham Crown Court this week, was on Grace O’Malley-Kumar and Barnaby Webber. Both 19-year-old University of Nottingham students were fatally stabbed by Calocane in the early hours of a Tuesday as they were walking home. Prosecutor Karim Khalil KC described the attacks as “deliberate and merciless,” detailing how O’Malley-Kumar bravely fought to defend Webber before both were overcome.

Following these attacks, Calocane called his brother, ominously stating, “It’s already done,” and advised his family to leave the country. His violent spree continued with an attempted break-in at Seely Hirst House, a hostel for vulnerable men, and a brutal assault on school caretaker Ian Coates, leaving him critically injured.

Calocane’s rampage escalated as he stole Coates’s van and drove into the city center, hitting several pedestrians. Among the severely injured was Wayne Birkett, who suffered a fractured skull, and pedestrians Sharon Miller and Marcin Gawronski, who narrowly survived the collision.

In the courtroom, Calocane, dressed in a black suit jacket, light-colored shirt, and glasses, remained impassive. The court was filled with grieving family members and friends of the victims, where emotional sobs were heard as the prosecution detailed the attacks.

CCTV footage, not shown in court, captured Calocane’s movements before the attacks, adding to the chilling narrative presented by the prosecution.

The court also learned of Calocane’s mental health history. A native of Guinea-Bissau, he had been under mental health care since relocating to the UK with his family in 2007. Diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, he had a history of concealing his psychosis and refusing medication. Incidents in 2020 and 2021, including a confrontation with a police officer and unauthorised entry into apartments, highlighted his deteriorating mental state.

The case, which has shocked and saddened the community, continues to unfold as the court proceeds with the sentencing.

Crime

Milford Haven man admits assault and harassment charges

Published

4 days ago

May 21, 2026

Court Reporter

A MILFORD HAVEN has admitted assaulting a family member and harassing another relative following incidents in the town last year.

Wayne Whatling, 39, of Howarth Close, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (May 21).

Whatling changed his pleas to guilty to one charge of assault by beating and one charge of harassment without violence.

The assault charge relates to an incident in Milford Haven on September 13, 2025, when Whatling assaulted Ben Whatling by beating him.

He also admitted pursuing a course of conduct amounting to harassment against Carol Whatling between September 1 and September 13, 2025.

The court heard the harassment allegation involved repeatedly asking Carol Whatling for money, with the complainant said to have feared repercussions if she did not provide it.

Magistrates adjourned the case for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Whatling was remanded on conditional bail and ordered not to contact Carol or Ben Whatling directly or indirectly.

He is due to be sentenced at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (June 9).

Crime

Milford Haven man admits affray after alleged pub incident

Published

4 days ago

May 21, 2026

Court Reporter

A MILFORD HAVEN man has admitted affray following an incident at a town centre pub.

Stephen Collier, 38, of Vaynor Road, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (May 21).

Collier has pleaded guilty to affray, relating to an incident at Nos Da, Victoria Road, Milford Haven, on December 3, 2025.

The charge states that he used unlawful violence towards John Dean Hilton and that his conduct was such as would cause a person of reasonable firmness present at the scene to fear for their personal safety.

Collier also faces a separate charge of burglary dwelling with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm. It is alleged that, on the same date, he entered a flat at Nos Da as a trespasser and inflicted grievous bodily harm on Mr Hilton. He denies that charge.

The court also dealt with a breach of bail allegation after Collier was arrested on May 20 for allegedly breaching a curfew condition. He admitted the breach.

Magistrates re-admitted him to conditional bail.

His bail conditions include a daily electronically monitored curfew between 9:00pm and 6:00am, residence at his Vaynor Road address, and exclusions from Mount Estate, Milford Haven town centre, and Nos Da.

He must also not contact prosecution witnesses, including Molly Martin, Jack Martin, Lily Rose Martin and John Hilton.

Collier is due to appear at Swansea Crown Court on Friday, June 5, for sentence.

A spokesperson for Nos Da said the incident was connected with rooms upstairs at the Victoria Road premises, and did not take place in the bar itself, in the licensed area.