News

Nottingham rampage: Man arrested for triple murder is from Haverfordwest

Published

3 years ago

June 15, 2023

A UNIVERSITY graduate from Haverfordwest has been accused of the brutal rampage which resulted in the deaths of three individuals in Nottingham.

The accused is Valdo Calocane, who hails from a Pembrokeshire churchgoing family – the news of his alleged involvement has sent shockwaves through the local community.

The Herald can now reveal previously unknown details about the suspect, having received information from Nottingham Police.

Calocane, completed his degree in mechanical engineering last summer. Prior to attending university, he grew up in Haverfordwest, where his academic abilities were well-known.

During his studies at university, Calocane resided in close proximity to the section of Ilkeston Road where the tragic incidents occurred in the early hours of Tuesday.

He was apprehended at 5:40 am on Tuesday on suspicion of murdering Grace O’Malley-Kumar and Barnaby Webber, both first-year students at the University of Nottingham.

*The three victims of the Nottingham attack (left to right): Barnaby Webber, Grace Kumar and Ian Coates.*

Police have confirmed that the individual in custody is the same person observed entering a supported living complex on Mapperley Road.

CCTV footage depicts the moment officers employed a Taser to subdue and handcuff the suspect after the fatal stabbings that transpired in Nottingham.

The rampage, which spanned a harrowing 90 minutes, also claimed the life of Ian Coates, a 65-year-old caretaker, and left three pedestrians injured, one of whom remains in critical condition. The critically injured individual has been identified as Wayne Birkett, a factory worker. The Nottinghamshire Police have been granted an additional 36 hours to question the suspect.

A former housemate divulged to police that the accused had confided in her about his deteriorating mental health, sharing his experiences of perceiving hallucinations and auditory delusions.

“He seemed like a normal guy. I didn’t know him too well, but he didn’t do drugs or drink excessively,” she revealed. “Originally from Guinea, he had been living in the UK for some time. He struggled with his mental health, claiming to witness and hear things that weren’t there. We were housemates in 2020 when he was pursuing a master’s degree in mechanical engineering. Though we lost touch, I believe he graduated last year and continued residing in Nottingham.”

Calocane attended Sir Thomas Picton High School, which was recently renamed Haverfordwest High School.

His family actively participates in worship at Haverfordwest’s Calvary Church, on Trafalgar Road, situated a mere quarter-mile from their residence.

Hazel Vaughan, the wife of minister Adrian Vaughan, expressed shock at the accusations and described the Calocane family as “amazing” and “lovely.”

“We haven’t seen Valdo in years. I had no idea he had moved to Nottingham,” Mrs. Vaughan shared.

Coincidentally, the church had earlier posted a message on Facebook, expressing solidarity and support for those affected by the tragic events in Nottingham, urging prayers for comfort and hope.

Calocane’s family reside in the former RAF houses. As of now, there has been no response from the family’s residence.

Marlene Raymond, a neighbour from Haverfordwest, reminisced about the Calocane family, describing the eldest son as smart and handsome.

She praised the family, emphasizing their good looks and the intelligence and politeness of all three children.

Another neighbour attested to the family’s quiet demeanor and absence of any prior trouble, stating, “They’re a nice family; both parents work, with the mother employed as a nurse at the local hospital.”

Today, Nottinghamshire Police confirmed that the suspect in custody is a former student of the University of Nottingham.

However, they assert that this connection is unrelated to the attack.

CCTV footage captured the suspect’s arrival at Seely Hirst House, a property on Mapperley Road, at 5 am on Tuesday, just moments before his arrest.

In the footage, he can be seen attempting to enter through a ground-floor window. Resident Trevor Proverbs intervened, delivering a punch that forced the suspect to retreat.

Reports have emerged suggesting that Calocane visited the headquarters of MI5, the UK’s intelligence agency, in August.

Apparently, he demanded entry and was subsequently escorted off the premises by security personnel.

The Home Office declined to comment on these allegations when approached by the press.

Crime

Broad Haven man remanded in custody over sexual harm prevention order breach

Published

14 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant admitted using Xbox without informing police as required under court order

ANTHONY COOMBES, aged 26, of Sand Banks, Broad Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 20) charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

The court heard that between February 26 and March 19, 2026, at Haverfordwest, Coombes repeatedly breached the order by using an Xbox device without informing police within three days, as required.

The offences relate to a sexual harm prevention order imposed at Swansea Crown Court on October 20, 2021.

Coombes indicated guilty pleas to the offences at the first hearing.

Magistrates committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, which is due to take place at 9:00am on Friday, April 3, at Swansea Crown Court.

The court refused bail on the grounds that he was likely to offend, citing the nature and seriousness of the offences and his previous record and character.

A pre-sentence report was ordered.

News

Man arrested after suspected drugs-related death in Haverfordwest

Published

14 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Police say death not suspicious as 46-year-old arrested over alleged Class A drug supply

A MAN has died following a medical emergency at a property in Haverfordwest, police have confirmed.

Emergency services were called at 3:18pm on Wednesday (March 18) after a report of a medical incident.

A man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the man’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by officers.

The death is not being treated as suspicious at this time.

However, police confirmed that a man, aged 46, was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

He has since been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

No further details about the deceased have been formally released.

Crime

Illegal dog breeders ordered to pay over £129,000 after council probe

Published

15 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FOUR people from Mynyddygarreg, Kidwelly, have been ordered to pay more than £129,000 following a successful prosecution for illegal dog breeding.

At Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday (Mar 10), before His Honour Judge Thomas KC, Stacey May June Edwards, Peter John Edwards, Sian Eleri Thomas and David Malcolm James Thomas, all of Sea Breeze, Mynyddygarreg, pleaded guilty to offences under the Breeding of Dogs (Wales) Regulations 2014.

The court imposed confiscation orders totalling £129,873.41 under the Proceeds of Crime Act across the four defendants. They were also ordered to pay £8,000 in costs, while each defendant received a £2,000 fine.

The investigation began in April 2021 after Carmarthenshire County Council’s Animal Health team received an enquiry from Peter Edwards about obtaining a dog breeding licence. Although licensing guidance was provided and a partial application was submitted in February 2022, this was later withdrawn.

In March 2024, the council received a complaint that puppies were being advertised for sale without the required licence. Officers subsequently contacted online advertising platforms and issued data requests to assess the scale of activity.

Analysis of records from Pets4Homes, Freeads and Gumtree revealed multiple litters being advertised by members of the same household.

Correspondence under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act confirmed that up to 25 dogs were kept at the property, including between 16 and 19 breeding females.

While some defendants claimed joint ownership of the dogs, others attempted to minimise their involvement.

The Herald understands that numerous puppy advertisements were posted between July 2020 and April 2025, demonstrating a sustained pattern of unlicensed breeding.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability, Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen, said: “This case demonstrates the council’s firm stance against unlicensed and illegal dog breeding.

“These regulations are in place to protect animal welfare and ensure that breeding activities are subject to proper oversight. The scale of activity uncovered at this property was entirely unacceptable, and we welcome the court’s decision to issue significant confiscation orders under POCA.”

He added: “We urge anyone with concerns about illegal dog breeding to report it. Our Animal Health officers will continue to investigate thoroughly and take action against those who disregard the law.”

Residents are reminded that anyone breeding and selling dogs must comply with licensing regulations designed to protect both animal welfare and consumers.