Emotional Appeal from Grieving Mother
On today’s episode of Good Morning Britain, Emma Webber, a heartbroken mother whose son Barnaby was tragically killed in a stabbing spree, was visibly overwhelmed with emotion as she spoke about the devastating loss.
Her son, a 19-year-old university student, was one of three victims fatally attacked by Valdo Calocane in June 2023.
Emma shared her thoughts about a newly released review, which pointed out clear failings in the mental health care of Calocane, who had been diagnosed with schizophrenia.
As Emma opened up, tears filled her eyes, and the host, Susanna Reid, comforted her through this incredibly difficult moment.
A Mother’s Heartbreaking Reflections
Emma expressed the depth of her grief, saying, “Harvey should be here today, completing his final year of university.
His 21st birthday last month was just so painful.
” Her words resonated deeply, not just with Susanna Reid, but with everyone watching.
The pain of losing her child so suddenly was palpable as she spoke about her son’s future that would never be realized.
She also shared that she had been in contact with the family of another victim, a young girl killed at a Taylor Swift dance class in Southport.
Emma described the experience of connecting with other families who have suffered similar tragedies as a “horrible club no one would ever wish to join,” but also emphasized the rare bond that comes from truly understanding such loss.
Shocking Findings from the Review
The new review that was released today uncovers a series of failures within the mental health system that allowed Calocane to go unchecked before carrying out his horrific attacks.
According to Emma, mental health teams missed several opportunities to intervene, leaving Calocane free to harm innocent people.
She criticized the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) as “not fit for purpose” and slammed the review as “full of gaps, omissions, and a lack of accountability.
” She was adamant that families affected by the attack would stop at nothing to secure justice for their loved ones, saying, “Enough is enough.
We will do whatever we have to do to right this wrong.”
Demanding Accountability
Emma is now calling for a statutory public inquiry that would force all relevant parties to attend and cooperate in uncovering the full truth of how such a tragedy occurred.
She stressed that this wasn’t about seeking vengeance, but about ensuring accountability for those whose failures allowed Calocane to commit murder.
She pointed out that while losing a job might be difficult for some, it pales in comparison to losing a loved one.
A Systemic Breakdown
The report reveals disturbing details about how Calocane was allowed to avoid long-term antipsychotic treatment due to his fear of needles, despite repeated recommendations for such treatment.
This lack of proper care ultimately allowed him to remain in the community and carry out the stabbings.
Emma’s frustration with the system was clear as she noted, “The system got it wrong, and the consequences have been devastating.”
The review also highlights other violent incidents involving patients of Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, including 15 serious violent acts between 2019 and 2023.
Among these incidents were multiple stabbings, including one where a paranoid schizophrenic man stabbed five strangers over the course of several days.
The level of violence was extreme, with some cases leading to fatalities.
Apologies and Calls for Reform
Dr. Jessica Sokolov, a regional medical director at NHS England, admitted that the system had failed in Calocane’s case, acknowledging that the consequences of such failures were “devastating.
” She issued an apology to the victims’ families on behalf of the NHS and all organizations involved in Calocane’s care. Meanwhile, Calocane’s own family expressed their deep sorrow for the tragedy but also highlighted that the mental health care system is in urgent need of reform, with a call for government intervention to prevent such disasters in the future.
This heartbreaking series of events has prompted widespread concern about the state of mental health care in the UK and the tragic consequences of system failures.
Emma and the other families are determined to see justice served and ensure that no other families have to experience such a devastating loss.
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