Doctor Revises Warning About Nottingham Stabber

A psychiatrist who previously warned that Valdo Calocane, responsible for the deaths of three people in Nottingham, “will end up killing someone” has revised his earlier statement. Dr. Faizal Seedat now asserts his initial warning was a deliberate attempt to ‘shock’ Calocane into recognizing the severity of his behavior.

Initial Concerns and 2020 Incident

Dr. Seedat initially expressed serious concerns regarding Calocane’s mental state in 2020, following an incident where Calocane’s actions led a woman to suffer a broken back after jumping from a second-story window to escape him. He clarified that he did not genuinely believe Calocane would commit murder, but feared a repetition of his violent tendencies could result in increasingly severe harm.

The Nottingham Attacks

In June 2023, Calocane fatally stabbed students Barney Webber and Grace O’Malley-Kumar, along with school caretaker Ian Coates, during a rampage in Nottingham. Prior to the attacks, Calocane had been subject to four separate periods of detention under the Mental Health Act and had a history of violent behavior, including an incident just a month before the killings.

Inquiry Details and Dr. Seedat’s Testimony

A public inquiry is currently underway to investigate the factors that allowed Calocane to remain free and commit these crimes. Testimony revealed Dr. Seedat’s initial warning in July 2020 was followed by Calocane’s discharge from care just two weeks later, raising questions about risk assessment and patient management.

Therapeutic Tactic Explained

Dr. Seedat maintains his statement was a therapeutic tactic, designed to impress upon Calocane the gravity of his actions. He described a direct conversation with Calocane, outlining a worst-case scenario and reminding him of the previous incident causing significant physical harm. Calocane reportedly denied any likelihood of repeating such actions.

Intention to 'Shock' and Highlight Consequences

Dr. Seedat, who treated Calocane at Highbury Hospital in Nottinghamshire, explained he aimed to facilitate a deeper understanding of the implications of Calocane’s illness. He recounted reminding Calocane that a previous incident resulted in serious injuries, emphasizing that continued disregard for consequences could lead to a fatal outcome. He stated his intention was to ‘shock or highlight the importance of the implications of his behaviour’.

'Red Rum' Text Messages

The inquiry also heard details of concerning text messages sent by Calocane in 2020, referencing ‘red rum’ – a backwards spelling of ‘murder’ – and expressing a desire to inflict harm. Dr. Seedat admitted he did not initially recognize the meaning of ‘red rum’, interpreting it as a religious reference.

Manslaughter Plea and Ongoing Inquiry

Calocane was sentenced to a hospital order after pleading guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility, a decision criticized by the victims’ families. The inquiry is ongoing, seeking to establish a comprehensive understanding of the events and identify any systemic failures that may have contributed to the tragedy.