A former university student has been charged with three counts of murder after two talented sportspeople and a school caretaker were found stabbed to death in the English city of Nottingham.
Valdo Calocane (31) is also accused of three counts of attempted murder after a van was allegedly driven at pedestrians in the early hours of Tuesday morning, Nottinghamshire Police said.
First-year University of Nottingham students Grace O’Malley-Kumar and Barnaby Webber, both 19, were found fatally stabbed on Ilkeston Road at about 4am.
Caretaker Ian Coates (65) was then found dead in Magdala Road after his van was allegedly stolen.
[ Young woman killed in Nottingham came from well-known Irish medical familyOpens in new window ]
Calocane is accused of using the van to drive at pedestrians in Milton Street – an incident which resulted in one person being taken to hospital in a critical condition and two others suffering minor injuries.
The defendant, of no fixed address, is due to appear at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, police said.
Grace O’Malley-Kumar came from a well-known Irish medical family. She is the daughter of Irish-born, London-based consultant anaesthetist, Sinead O’Malley.
The murdered woman’s grandfather is Professor Kevin O’Malley, who is also an anaesthetist as well as a former registrar and chief executive of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI). He subsequently moved to the Middle East to help establish the RCSI’s college in Bahrain, where he was its founding president and still holds an emeritus position.
Chief constable Kate Meynell, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “These charges are a significant development and arise as a result of our thorough investigation into these horrific incidents that occurred in our city.
“Our thoughts remain with the families and friends of all those affected by these attacks, and we will continue to provide support and reassurance.”
She added: “This has been an incredibly sad time for our city and county, and we stand united with our communities as we come to terms with the effects of what has happened
“We are keenly aware of the deep emotion being felt surrounding these tragic events and the high level of interest, not only in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire but also across the whole country.
“However, posting prejudicial information online about an active case could amount to contempt of court and, in the most serious cases, have the potential to cause the collapse of a trial.” – PA