Nottingham attack victim who was stabbed before van stolen named as school caretaker


The third victim of the attacks in Nottingham has been named. Ian Coates, a school caretaker aged in his 60s, was stabbed to death in the early hours of Tuesday. 

Students Barnaby Webber and Grace Kumar, both 19, were identified as victims on Tuesday.

Nottinghamshire Police said a 31-year-old man was tasered and arrested on suspicion of murder following the deadly rampage and remains in custody.

Mr Webber, Ms Kumar and Mr Coates were stabbed to death before their attacker allegedly stole the older victim’s van and attempted to run over three people, according to police.

Mr Coates was found fatally knifed in Magdala Road before the suspect allegedly drove his van at pedestrians in Milton Street.

Three people were injured in the van attack, with one in a critical condition in hospital and two suffering minor injuries.

So far tributes have been paid to Mr Webber and Ms Kumar, including from Mr Webber’s family.

Parents David and Emma Webber and younger brother Charlie said in a statement: “Complete devastation is not enough to describe our pain and loss at the senseless murder of our son.

“Barnaby Philip John Webber was a beautiful, brilliant, bright young man, with everything in life to look forward to.”

The family, from Taunton, Somerset, added: “A talented and passionate cricketer, who was over the moon to have made selection to his university cricket team.

“At 19 he was just at the start of his journey into adulthood and was developing into a wonderful young man. As parents we are enormously proud of everything he achieved and all the plans he had made.

“His brother is bereft beyond belief, and at this time we ask for privacy as a family to be allowed time to process and grieve.”

Their statement ended by thanking everyone who has supported the family in “this awful journey”.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.