Crime

Attorney General reviews sentence of Nottingham killer for possible leniency

Published

3 months ago

January 26, 2024

THE ATTTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE is scrutinising the sentence handed down to the Nottingham killer, Valdo Calocane, also known as Adam Mendes. This review follows a submission suggesting the sentence may be unduly lenient.

32-year-old Calocane – who grew up in Haverfordwest – faced charges for the murder of Barnaby Webber, 19, Grace O’Malley-Kumar, 19, and 65-year-old school caretaker Ian Coates. In a turn of events, he denied murder but admitted to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility due to paranoid schizophrenia. Additionally, he confessed to the attempted murder of three others, whom he injured using a van.

His pleas were accepted by the Crown, leading to an indefinite detention sentence in a high-security hospital, as ruled by the Nottingham Crown Court last Thursday.

The sentencing has sparked significant controversy and outrage among the victims’ families. They have criticised the prosecution’s decision to accept a manslaughter charge instead of pursuing a murder conviction, labelling it a “fait accompli.”

Victoria Prentis, the Attorney General, through a spokesperson, confirmed the receipt of a referral challenging the leniency of Calocane’s sentence. This action initiates a 28-day period for the cabinet minister to review and potentially refer the case to the Court of Appeal for re-evaluation.

In addition to this possible review, CCTV footage capturing Calocane’s horrific attack in Nottingham has been released, adding to public scrutiny.

Emma Webber, mother of victim Barnaby Webber, has openly criticised the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for downgrading the charge from murder to manslaughter. However, it is understood that the Attorney General’s review will focus solely on the sentencing aspect, not on the charges pursued.

This case has opened the door for any concerned individual or institution to request a sentence review if they believe it to be excessively lenient.

Before the tragic events, Calocane, a Nottingham University mechanical engineering student, attacked O’Malley-Kumar and Webber as they were returning from a night out. He then fatally stabbed Coates before commandeering his van and driving into pedestrians in the city center. Wayne Birkett, Marcin Gawronski, and Sharon Miller were seriously injured but survived the attack.

Calocane’s mental health history reveals multiple sections under the Mental Health Act, with the last hospital discharge occurring in 2022. Despite attempts to contact him post-discharge, he remained unreachable.

Compounding these concerns, at the time of the attacks, an outstanding arrest warrant existed for Calocane. He had previously failed to appear in court for an alleged assault on a police officer during a prior sectioning process.

Crime

Haverfordwest man faces drug charges in Crown Court

Published

7 hours ago

May 9, 2024

Tom Sinclair

A 23-YEAR-OLD man from Haverfordwest has been formally charged with multiple drug-related offences, including the possession and intent to supply cocaine, MDMA, and cannabis. Owen Maddocks, residing at Hywel Road, will soon make a court appearance at Swansea Crown Court to respond to the charges.

Maddocks stands accused of possessing cocaine with intent to supply on April 5 and similarly for MDMA on June 15 of the previous year. On the same dates, he also allegedly intended to supply cannabis, leading to additional charges.

Furthermore, the allegations against Maddocks include the possession of criminal property, specifically £4,905 in cash, which was seized on June 15.

After appearing at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on May 3, Maddocks was granted bail. He is scheduled to appear at Swansea Crown Court on May 10, where he will enter his pleas.

Crime

Father jailed for assaulting daughter during work trip

Published

1 day ago

May 8, 2024

Tom Sinclair

A FATHER has been imprisoned after he assaulted his 19-year-old daughter during a business trip in Tenby. Nathan Smith, 41, of Salcot Crescent, Croydon, was staying with his daughter, Shania Smith, at Penally Manor near Christmas.

The incident occurred around 2 pm on Sunday, December 17, when, according to the prosecutor Regan Walters, an altercation broke out between the two. Ms Smith confided in a colleague that she was being annoyed by her father. Mr. Walters stated that Mr. Smith overheard the conversation and summoned his daughter to his room to discuss her comments.

During the confrontation, Ms Smith insisted she was not disrespecting her father, who then physically assaulted her. “The defendant grabbed her by the neck using both hands,” Mr. Walters explained, noting that she could still breathe. The altercation escalated as Mr. Smith pushed his daughter against a wall and dragged her back into the room when she tried to leave.

Colleagues intervened after hearing the commotion, and although Ms Smith attempted to contact the police, she was unable to due to a lack of signal. Authorities arrived approximately four hours later.

In a statement to the court, Ms Smith expressed her disillusionment with her father’s actions, stating, “I felt so let down” and “I just don’t feel safe.”

Mr. Smith, who has a history of seven previous convictions involving 15 offences, admitted to assault occasioning actual bodily harm but denied a charge of strangulation. His plea was accepted by the prosecution.

Defence solicitor James McKenna described the incident as spontaneous and impulsive, saying, “This is a situation that should have never ever occurred. He is appalled by it.”

The court sentenced Mr. Smith to 14 months in prison and issued a three-year restraining order to protect his daughter, underscoring the severity of the familial breach.

Crime

Four-figure fine because of four-legged friends

Published

1 day ago

May 8, 2024

Court Reporter

A PACK of dogs which bark persistently in a Pembrokeshire residential area have resulted in a four-figure fine for their owner.

“The lady living in the property beneath has been concerned about the noise for some considerable time,” said solicitor Jill Davies, prosecuting on behalf of Pembrokeshire County Council. “Sometimes the dogs can be heard barking at two, three and even four o’clock in the morning,”

As a result, noise abatement notices were served on Catherine Jones, 51, of Northfield Terrace, Robseston Wathen, following numerous visits by Pembrokeshire County Council’s enforcement officers, RSPCA officers and police officers. But despite the notices, Catherine Jones’s dogs continued to bark.

“The noise abatement notices were served as a result of at least five dogs, possibly as many as seven, barking in a domestic local authority property,” continued Jill Davies.

Last week Jones was found guilty in her absence by Haverfordwest magistrates of five charges of failing to comply with a noise abatement notice under the Environmental Protection Act and three charges of failing to comply with a community protection notice.

This Tuesday, May 7, the matter was brought back to Haverfordwest Magistrates Court for sentencing; once again Catherine Jones failed to attend.

Jones was ordered to pay a total of £1,640, comprising a £440 fine and £1,200 prosecution costs to Pembrokeshire County Council. An application by the local authority for a criminal behaviour order to be served against Jones was declined by magistrates.