Crime

Nottingham tragedy: Paranoid schizophrenia and a plea to MI5

Published

4 months ago

January 24, 2024

IN a chilling revelation at Nottingham Crown Court, the case of former Haverfordwest resident, Valdo Calocane, 32, unveils a tragic narrative of mental illness and missed warning signs. Calocane, suffering from paranoid schizophrenia, believed he was under the control of MI5 and other malign forces, a delusion that led to a horrific series of events in Nottingham on 13 June last year.

Calocane, who has admitted to the manslaughter of Grace O’Malley-Kumar, Barnaby Webber, and Ian Coates on the grounds of diminished responsibility, also attempted to kill three others during his rampage. His defence, led by Peter Joyce KC, highlighted Calocane’s troubled past and his attempts to seek help, including a desperate plea at Thames House, MI5’s headquarters, in May 2021.

Forensic psychiatrist Dr Nigel Blackwood detailed Calocane’s history of psychotic delusions. In one instance, Calocane broke into a flat, believing his family was in danger, causing one occupant to leap from an upstairs window in terror. On another occasion, he drove hundreds of miles to his family home, consumed by the belief they were at risk, yet fearing MI5’s surveillance, he refused to enter.

Despite treatment by mental health services since 2020, Calocane often resisted medication, misled clinicians about his symptoms, and disengaged from mental health practitioners. Dr Blackwood remarked on his intelligence and ability to conceal his illness, a factor that perhaps contributed to the tragedy’s escalation.

Adding to the complexity of the case, it has emerged that an arrest warrant was out for Calocane since September 2022, following an alleged assault on a police officer. This warrant remained active at the time of the June attacks. Assistant Chief Constable Rob Griffin of Nottinghamshire Police has acknowledged shortcomings in their efforts to apprehend Calocane, though he noted the unlikelihood of Calocane receiving a custodial sentence for the assault.

Psychiatrists have warned of Calocane’s treatment-resistant schizophrenia, posing a deadly risk if he were to refuse medication in prison. “There is a significant risk of lethal behaviours returning,” Dr Blackwood cautioned, stressing the lack of insight Calocane has into his illness and the moral and legal wrongness of his actions.

His difficulties in Nottingham were a far cry from his upbringing in Haverfordwest.

He moved to Pembrokeshire’s county town with his parents from the West African country of Guinea-Bissau, where he was born in September 1991. Neighbours described him as a polite churchgoer from a good family who would always say hello to them.

He attended the Calvary Church along with his carer dad Amissao, 56, nurse mum Celeste, 44, and two younger siblings. Neighbour Marlene Raymond, 55, previously said: “I can picture the eldest boy now in his school uniform, he was very smart and handsome.

“He was very bright, all three children are – they are a nice family and have been lovely neighbours for years. I haven’t seen the oldest boy for some time – since he went away to college or uni. They are very clever, all of them are polite and intelligent children.”

The family worship at the Calvary Church in Haverfordwest which is less than a quarter of a mile from their home. Calocane’s guilty pleas to the manslaughter of Grace, Barnaby and school caretaker Ian Coates were accepted by prosecutors today.

As Calocane awaits sentencing this week, this case serves as a stark reminder of the intersections of mental health, criminal justice, and societal responsibility. It raises crucial questions about how individuals with severe mental illnesses are managed and monitored, especially when they show violent tendencies or seek help in unconventional ways.

Crime

Tenby charity shop manager stole funds and fled to Turkey

Published

2 days ago

May 11, 2024

Tom Sinclair

Lorraine Kucuk, the former manager of a Cancer Research UK shop in Tenby, was handed a 12-month suspended sentence after pleading guilty to stealing over £5,000 intended for charity.

Swansea Crown Court heard this week that Kucuk misappropriated the funds to cover personal debts and finance social outings. Her actions came to light when discrepancies were detected in the shop’s financial records in early May 2017, revealing no bank deposits had been made for 22 consecutive days.

The prosecutor, Dean Pulling, explained that during this period, the shop had accrued £5,238.41 in takings, which Kucuk failed to deposit. When initially questioned, she claimed the deposits were made late. However, the subsequent day, she reported being sick and abruptly ceased coming to work.

Further investigation revealed a fabricated story about a flatmate who allegedly ran off with the money. Despite her pleas for time to repay the stolen funds and requests not to involve the police, she was arrested on May 15, 2017.

During her police interview, Kucuk admitted to taking the money, describing her actions as “borrowing” to manage her financial obligations and afford occasional leisure activities.

Among the debts were several parking fines. Initially indicating a guilty plea, she later fled to Turkey, avoiding her scheduled plea and sentencing hearing. Her absence extended over five years, attributed partly to an accident and expired passport, complicating her return.

No show charity shop woman is in Turkey, court hears

Lorreine Kucuk: As we previously reported, her arrest warrant was issued on November 9, 2018

Stuart John, defending, described Kucuk’s extended stay in Turkey as “somewhat of a purgatory.” He noted that she returned to the UK this year with assistance from friends and the British Embassy, expressing her genuine remorse and readiness to rectify her wrongs.

During the sentencing, Judge Huw Rees denounced the theft as particularly heinous given its impact on a charity. He stated, “There cannot be an example of more mean offending against a charity.” Despite her eventual return and admission of guilt, Judge Paul Thomas KC had previously sentenced her to 10 weeks in jail for breaching bail conditions, highlighting her deliberate escape to avoid facing the consequences of her actions.

In addition to her suspended sentence, Kucuk is required to complete 200 hours of unpaid work and participate in 25 days of rehabilitation activities. Her case stands as a severe breach of trust and a stark reminder of the consequences of such actions, particularly when charitable organisations are the victims.

Crime

Pembrokeshire man admits to strangulation while intoxicated

Published

2 days ago

May 11, 2024

Tom Sinclair

IN a hearing at Swansea Crown Court this week (May 10), a Pembrokeshire man, Lee Morgan, 42, of Green Close in Steynton, admitted to one count of strangulation under the influence of alcohol. However, he denied further charges related to another incident involving the same victim.

The court was informed that Morgan had no recollection of the incidents due to his intoxication. On April 5, 2023, he allegedly strangled a woman and committed battery. He pleaded guilty to the strangulation but denied the battery charge. A second accusation of strangulation was made against Morgan for an incident that occurred on April 30, 2023. This later accusation only came to light during the police investigation of the initial charges and was not reported at the time it occurred.

Prosecutor Ieuan Rees accepted Morgan’s pleas on behalf of the prosecution, indicating that the focus would be on the charges to which Morgan had admitted guilt. Defense attorney David Singh highlighted Morgan’s ongoing issues with alcohol, which he claimed contributed to his client’s lack of memory regarding the incident.

Presiding Judge Geraint Walters has ordered the preparation of a pre-sentence report and remanded Morgan back into custody. Morgan is scheduled to appear in court again on May 31 for further proceedings.

The case continues to develop as the community and legal system grapple with the serious allegations and Morgan’s admission of guilt under the influence of alcohol.

Crime

Former Pembroke Dock mayor admits child abuse image charges

Published

3 days ago

May 10, 2024

Tom Sinclair

AT Swansea Crown Court on Friday (May 10), former Pembroke Dock Mayor Terry Judkins has pleaded guilty to possessing indecent images of children.

Judkins, who held office as mayor from May 2021 until his resignation in November 2021, faced multiple charges related to child abuse images.

The court heard that Judkins was charged with creating two Category C indecent images of children and possessing a prohibited image of a child during a period spanning from September 27, 2018, to August 5, 2021.

The 55-year-old admitted to these offences in a hearing that has drawn considerable attention.

However, Judkins denied charges related to possessing extreme pornographic images that depicted bestiality, covering a timeline from January 2010 to August 2021.

Prosecutor Helen Randall indicated that the Crown would pursue a trial on these allegations given Judkins’ not guilty plea.

Additional charges against Judkins include making 52 Category A indecent images of children within the same dates as his earlier admissions.

The former mayor has been granted extra time to consider his plea on this charge, with a future court appearance scheduled for a later date.