Forensic police search an area in the city centre after the attacks in Nottingham, England. Getty Images
Forensic police search an area in the city centre after the attacks in Nottingham, England. Getty Images
Forensic police search an area in the city centre after the attacks in Nottingham, England. Getty Images
Forensic police search an area in the city centre after the attacks in Nottingham, England. Getty Images

What do we know about the Nottingham attack?


Gillian Duncan
  • English
  • Arabic

Police are continuing to investigate a savage knife attack in which left three people died and another was left critically injured in Nottingham early on Tuesday.

Witnesses gave harrowing accounts of the rampage, with one telling the BBC he heard “awful, blood-curdling screams” and saw a “black guy dressed all in black with a hood and rucksack grappling with some people”.

Nottinghamshire Police said a 31-year-old man was tasered and arrested on suspicion of murder after Barnaby Webber and fellow University of Nottingham student Grace O'Malley-Kumar were stabbed to death in Ilkeston Road at about 4am.

A third person named by his employer, the Lead Academy Trust, as school caretaker Ian Coates, was also found dead.

Another person was critically injured.

Who were the victims?

University of Nottingham student Barnaby Webber, 19, was studying history. He was a keen cricketer whose family home was in Taunton, Somerset.

Barnaby Webber, who was attacked and killed in Nottingham, England. AP
Barnaby Webber, who was attacked and killed in Nottingham, England. AP

He was a former pupil of Taunton School. A fellow former pupil described him as a “wonderful young man with much to look forward to”.

Mr Webber played for cricket teams including Bishops Hull Cricket Club, where members called him a dear friend who was a key part of the club.

He had a younger brother, Charlie, who, along with his parents, David and Emma, described their “complete devastation” at his death.

His parents and brother said he was “a beautiful, brilliant, bright young man, with everything in life to look forward to”.

Fellow student Ms O'Malley-Kumar, also 19, was in the first year of a medical degree.

Her family described her as a "truly wonderful and beautiful young lady".

In a statement, issued by Nottinghamshire Police, they said: "Grace was an adored daughter and sister; she was a truly wonderful and beautiful young lady.

"Grace was not just a sister to James but his best friend. He is completely heartbroken. As parents, words cannot explain our complete and utter devastation. She will be so dearly missed.

"We were so incredibly proud of Grace's achievements and what a truly lovely person she was. She was resilient and wise beyond her years. Grace was so happy in life fulfilling her ambition of studying to become a doctor whilst playing topflight hockey at university.

"She leaves behind devastated extended family and friends. We request that all media outlets stop invading our privacy while we face this sorrow."

Miss O'Malley-Kumar was a talented hockey player who played for England under-16 and under-18 squads, as well as teams including Southgate Hockey Club in north London.

Grace Kumar, who was killed in the knife attack. Southgate Hockey Club / PA
Grace Kumar, who was killed in the knife attack. Southgate Hockey Club / PA

She was also a gifted cricketer and played at Woodford Wells Cricket Club in Essex. The club called the teenager “fun, friendly and brilliant”.

Ms O'Malley-Kumar attended independent Bancroft's School in north-east London before attending the University of Nottingham.

According to reports, her father is thought to be Dr Sanjoy Kumar, a GP who saved three teenagers after a knife attack in 2009.

Mr Coates was also found fatally stabbed. The suspect is believed to have stolen his van and driven at pedestrians in Milton Street. The school caretaker was described as “a much-loved colleague who always went the extra mile for the benefit of our children”.

Another person was critically wounded in the attack.

Who is the suspect?

Reportedly of West African origin, the 31-year-old suspect has lived legally in the UK since he was a teenager and has a history of mental health problems.

Police said they subdued the suspect with a stun gun and detained him on suspicion of murder.

What is happening?

Police said they believed the attacker acted alone and are working with counter-terrorism officers to try to establish a motive.

The attack has not been labelled terrorism by the authorities, and police are investigating issues including the suspect's mental health.

On Tuesday officers carried out searches at properties around the city – with cordons erected on various sections of Ilkeston Road.

The cordon was lifted on Wednesday, but two officers were stationed outside a terraced property that appeared to be the subject of police searches on Tuesday afternoon. Staff at a neighbouring hairdresser said the property had been raided last year.

Police are examining CCTV from a residential care home, which appears to show a man dressed in black trying to gain access through a bay window.

Alex Pridmore, a trustee of the All Saints Shelter charity, which runs the home, said the footage showed someone trying to gain access through a ground-floor window at about 4am on Tuesday.

Mr Pridmore said: "None of our residents were hurt.

"A resident had woken up and shut the window and was able to prevent the man coming in.

"The CCTV has been provided to the police. The resident alerted security, we have 24/7 security on the door."

A resident at the home, who did not wish to be named, said he punched the glass of his bay window to frighten off the man.

The incident was not reported to police at the time, police said, as they outlined the sequence of Tuesday's events in more detail.

Top financial tips for graduates

Araminta Robertson, of the Financially Mint blog, shares her financial advice for university leavers:

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Ain Dubai in numbers

126: The length in metres of the legs supporting the structure

1 football pitch: The length of each permanent spoke is longer than a professional soccer pitch

16 A380 Airbuses: The equivalent weight of the wheel rim.

9,000 tonnes: The amount of steel used to construct the project.

5 tonnes: The weight of each permanent spoke that is holding the wheel rim in place

192: The amount of cable wires used to create the wheel. They measure a distance of 2,4000km in total, the equivalent of the distance between Dubai and Cairo.

FIRST TEST SCORES

England 458
South Africa 361 & 119 (36.4 overs)

England won by 211 runs and lead series 1-0

Player of the match: Moeen Ali (England)

 

In numbers: China in Dubai

The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000

Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000

Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent

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Winners

Ballon d’Or (Men’s)
Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain / France)

Ballon d’Or Féminin (Women’s)
Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona / Spain)

Kopa Trophy (Best player under 21 – Men’s)
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona / Spain)

Best Young Women’s Player
Vicky López (Barcelona / Spain)

Yashin Trophy (Best Goalkeeper – Men’s)
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City / Italy)

Best Women’s Goalkeeper
Hannah Hampton (England / Aston Villa and Chelsea)

Men’s Coach of the Year
Luis Enrique (Paris Saint-Germain)

Women’s Coach of the Year
Sarina Wiegman (England)

Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Updated: June 14, 2023, 2:15 PM