Crime

Attorney General reviews sentence of Nottingham killer for possible leniency

Published

2 years 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

Dock woman given mental health treatment order after supermarket thefts

Published

11 hours ago

June 24, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

A PEMBROKE DOCK woman has been placed on a mental health treatment requirement after repeatedly stealing meat, cheese and other grocery items from local supermarkets.

Lisa Stewart, 45, admitted three theft offences when she appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

The first offence took place on March 11, when Stewart stole Vanish, Lenor and three packs of Persil capsules from Home Bargains in Pembroke Dock, with a total value of £58.41.

The following month, she stole four small beef joints, four steaks and three blocks of cheese from Asda in Pembroke Dock, worth £55.68.

Seven days later, she stole four legs of lamb from Farmfoods in Pembroke Dock, valued at £99.96.

Stewart, of Truscott House, London Road, Pembroke Dock, also pleaded guilty to failing to surrender to police bail on or around May 26.

She was represented in court by solicitor Alaw Harries, who told magistrates the thefts involved items of relatively low value and were not the result of “sophisticated offending”.

“The defendant has had an exceptionally difficult time, as last year she lost her partner to cancer and has struggled profoundly to process that grief,” said Ms Harries.

“Instead, she has attempted to cope by taking more of her prescribed medication than she should. And this is what has led her to be here today.”

Ms Harries said Stewart is now motivated to address her issues.

Magistrates sentenced Stewart to an 18-month community order. She must complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days, a 12-month mental health treatment requirement and a 12-month drug rehabilitation requirement.

The order will include monthly reviews in court.

Stewart must also pay £214.05 compensation to the supermarkets, together with a £114 surcharge and £85 costs.

Crime

Grandmother banned after cocaine drug-drive offence

Published

11 hours ago

June 24, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

A GRANDMOTHER has been banned from the roads after being caught behind the wheel with 800 mcg of a cocaine metabolite in her system.

Eleri Phillips, 57, was stopped by police in the early hours of December 18 as she drove her Audi Q5 along Derwent Avenue, Steynton.

A roadside drugs swipe proved positive, and further blood tests carried out at the police station showed she had 45 mcg of cocaine in her system and 800 mcg of benzoylecgonine, a cocaine metabolite.

The legal limits are 10 mcg and 50 mcg respectively.

Phillips, of Brook Close, Steynton, Milford Haven, pleaded guilty to two drug-driving charges when she appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates. She was legally represented by solicitor Michael Kelleher.

“She is absolutely ashamed of what has happened,” Mr Kelleher told the court.

“She had been out with friends that evening and someone offered her cocaine. Very foolishly, she took it.

“As a result, she is now going to be disqualified from driving, which is going to cause problems not only for her but for her family, as she regularly helps look after her grandchildren with general pick-ups from school.”

Phillips was disqualified from driving for 12 months and fined £120. She must also pay £85 court costs and a £48 surcharge.

Crime

Milford Haven builder banned for second drug-driving offence

Published

11 hours ago

June 24, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

Court hears cannabis reading was five times the legal limit

A SELF-EMPLOYED builder has been banned from the road after committing his second drug-driving offence in ten years.

Robert Duncan, 44, was stopped by police at around 6:00pm on January 31 as he drove a Ford Focus along Steynton Road, Milford Haven.

Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court heard this week that officers had been observing the vehicle before requesting it to stop.

Duncan provided a positive roadside drugs wipe, and later blood tests showed he had 10mcg of Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol in his system. The legal limit is 2mcg.

Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told magistrates that this was Duncan’s second drug-driving offence within ten years.

Duncan, of Meyler Crescent, Milford Haven, pleaded guilty to drug-driving.

He was represented by solicitor Michael Kelleher, who said Duncan had believed the drug would have left his system by the time he got behind the wheel.

“He believed the drug would have been out of his system when he was driving, but it can take a considerable length of time to go,” said Mr Kelleher.

“In fact, this is the drug that takes the longest amount of time.”

Mr Kelleher said Duncan worked as a self-employed builder, but was currently unable to work large amounts of time because of family commitments.

Magistrates disqualified Duncan from driving for three years. He was also fined £80 and ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £32 surcharge.