Police deny Nottingham triple killer was charged to 'shut down stories'

The investigation into the Nottingham attacks, where Valdo Calocane fatally stabbed three individuals and injured three others on 13 June 2023, has been under intense scrutiny. Retired Detective Superintendent Leigh Sanders, who led the inquiry, has firmly denied allegations that Calocane was charged prematurely to curb negative media coverage related to police performance. Following the incident, Calocane was charged with murder and attempted murder within three days; however, after psychiatric evaluations, he ultimately pled guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility alongside attempted murder charges, leading to an indefinite hospital order.

During a public inquiry chaired by retired judge Deborah Taylor KC, Sanders provided detailed testimony regarding his actions surrounding the case. He emphasized that his primary focus in the aftermath was on managing the investigation of a complex triple homicide, rather than addressing media narratives. Sanders acknowledged the significant national and international media interest but stated that any media strategy was handled by the senior officer with overall command, while his role concentrated on securing and preserving vital evidence. The inquiry also shed light on the legal constraints affecting media coverage once a suspect is charged, explaining that reporting is restricted to prevent prejudice in ongoing proceedings.

Further testimony revealed challenges faced by Nottinghamshire Police about potential inaccurate press stories being circulated. On 16 June, as the charge against Calocane was imminent, Sanders received a warning regarding forthcoming media reports that might undermine the investigation. Although he could not recall specifics about the alleged story, he made a record of consulting the head of corporate communications to consider measures for controlling the press narrative. Notably, Sanders authorized the murder charge prior to receiving formal written approval from the Crown Prosecution Service. When questioned whether the charge was used as a tactic to silence criticism about police investigation and an outstanding warrant, he categorically denied such motivations.

The inquiry also addressed other issues, such as the failure to take DNA toxicology hair samples from Calocane, despite requests from the victims’ families. Sanders apologized for this oversight, admitting that collecting a hair sample could have alleviated some family concerns, though recognizing that such evidence would not definitively prove drug or alcohol impairment at the time of the attacks. He acknowledged the difficulties that arose around the charge of manslaughter based on diminished responsibility. Sanders shared that many officers believed the crimes were outright murder due to observed planning and control in Calocane’s actions, but he deferred to psychiatric expertise in ultimately framing the legal decisions

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