Family Condemns Nottinghamshire Police for Condescending Advice and Delayed Communication After Deadly Stabbing Spree

The family of a man killed in the 2023 Nottingham stabbings revealed shocking details about how police handled the aftermath, including advising the widow to “buy a dog” to cope with her grief.

The revelations came during a public inquiry in London, highlighting failures in communication and support following the brutal attacks.

Miscommunication Adds to Grief

Elaine Newton, partner of 65-year-old Ian Coates, described the emotional turmoil caused by police errors.

Officers initially informed her that Mr Coates had died in a car crash—a statement that was later corrected.

“They looked shocked and said, ‘You’ve been told the wrong information – Ian’s been killed and he’s been stabbed,’” Ms Newton said.

She described the confusion as feeling like her partner “died twice.”

Coates’ son, James, learned of his father’s death via Instagram, before official notification arrived.

Police Condescension and Questionable Advice

Ms Newton also recounted that police offered her advice that she found patronizing and insensitive, suggesting she “move house, sell the house, buy a dog, go live by the sea” to cope with the trauma.

She said the force appeared condescending and treated her like “a box to be ticked.”

Adding to the distress, she had requested not to see the perpetrator, Valdo Calocane, yet was shown videos of him in Nottingham on the day of the attacks.

A History of Violence Ignored

Calocane, a 34-year-old student from Guinea-Bissau with paranoid schizophrenia, killed Mr Coates and two Nottingham undergraduates, 19-year-olds Barnaby Webber and Grace O’Malley-Kumar, on June 13, 2023.

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Following the murders, he used Coates’ van to run over pedestrians in the city centre.

The inquiry revealed that Calocane had a history of violent behavior.

In May 2020, Nottinghamshire Police arrested him after complaints of threatening neighbors, including a woman who jumped from a first-floor window to escape him.

However, the case was dropped after a psychiatrist ruled him “mentally incapable” of being held responsible, leaving him free to commit further violence.

Ms Newton said she had no prior knowledge of Calocane’s past and criticized police excuses for allowing him to roam freely.

Families Criticize Police Handling

James Coates criticized the police for delayed communication, noting he received a call only ten minutes before a press conference.

“I still didn’t believe it,” he said.

He expressed frustration at discovering new information during the inquiry, stating, “Since the inquiry began just over four weeks ago, the amount of new information that has surfaced astounds me.”

His brother, Lee Coates, described police claims that they were “doing everything for bereaved families” as disingenuous, noting that their family was treated as “second class” compared to other victims’ families.

Legal Outcome

Calocane pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

He is serving an indefinite hospital order at Ashwood High Secure Hospital in Merseyside.

Impact and Consequences

The inquiry has highlighted systemic failures in Nottinghamshire Police’s handling of both Calocane’s prior violent incidents and the aftermath of the 2023 attacks.

Families experienced miscommunication, insensitivity, and delays in receiving critical information, raising questions about institutional accountability.

What’s Next?

The public inquiry continues, investigating how Calocane was allowed to remain free despite a violent history and exploring potential reforms in police response and mental health oversight.

Families are seeking clarity, justice, and assurances that such oversights will not recur.

Summary

The Nottingham massacre inquiry has uncovered shocking mishandling by police, including miscommunication about victims’ deaths and patronizing advice to the bereaved.

With Calocane serving an indefinite hospital order, questions remain over systemic failures that allowed him to act with lethal consequences.

Bulleted Takeaways

• Elaine Newton, widow of Ian Coates, was first told he died in a car crash, later corrected to stabbing.
• Police advised her to “move house, sell the house, buy a dog, go live by the sea” to cope.
• Coates’ son James learned of his father’s death via Instagram before police contacted him.
• Perpetrator Valdo Calocane had a prior history of violence, but prior police action failed to prevent the killings.
• Families of victims criticized police for condescending treatment and delayed communication.
• Calocane pleaded guilty to manslaughter on grounds of diminished responsibility and is in a high-security hospital.