Crime
Prosecutors accept manslaughter plea from former Haverfordwest resident
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.
Ruan Austin was convicted of driving an Audi with nearly three times the legal alcohol limit in his breath
A WARRANT has been issued for the arrest of a Ceredigion man who was found guilty of drink-driving after failing to attend court.
Ruan Austin, aged 49, of Tanlan, Silian, had denied driving an Audi while over the prescribed alcohol limit.
The offence took place on Holyland Road, Pembroke, on May 9.
A breath test showed Austin had 100 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35 microgrammes.
Austin pleaded not guilty at an earlier hearing on May 26, but was found guilty following a trial at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday, July 13.
The court issued a warrant for his arrest without bail after he failed to appear in answer to his bail.
Community order revoked following failures to comply on two consecutive nights
A CARDIGAN man has been resentenced after admitting breaches of a court-imposed curfew.
Daniel Saunders, aged 28, of Golwg y Castell, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday, July 13.
The court heard that Saunders had failed to comply with a community order imposed by Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire Magistrates’ Court on November 19, 2025.
He breached the curfew requirement on December 12 and again on December 13, and failed to provide acceptable evidence explaining the breaches within the required period.
Magistrates revoked the original community order and resentenced Saunders under a separate case reference.
A warrant previously issued by Aberystwyth Magistrates’ Court in February was withdrawn following his appearance.
The register provided to the media does not state the terms of the new sentence.
Magistrates impose suspended 42-day prison term after finding of wilful refusal to pay
A ST FLORENCE man has been given a suspended prison term after magistrates found that he had wilfully refused to pay more than £2,000 in child maintenance.
Christopher James Gough, aged 40, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday, July 13.
The court heard that £2,120.91 remained outstanding in child maintenance and associated costs.
Proceedings were brought by the Child Maintenance Service under the Child Support Act 1991.
Magistrates found that Gough had wilfully refused to make the required payments and concluded that no other method of enforcement was appropriate.
He was ordered to pay the full outstanding sum or serve 42 days in prison.
The prison term was suspended on condition that Gough pays £40 each week, with the first payment due by July 27.
He was also ordered to pay £46 towards the costs of the Child Maintenance Service.
No details relating to the child or the other parent were disclosed during the published court proceedings.
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