One of the victims of the Nottingham knife attacks was mourning the loss of his grandfather when he was stabbed to death earlier this week.
Barnaby Webber was murdered in the early hours of Tuesday morning in the English city alongside Grace Kumar and Ian Coates. The 19-year-old was grieving the loss of his paternal grandfather who died just weeks earlier.
Taking to social media earlier this month Barnaby's dad paid tribute after laying his father to rest, he wrote: "Sleep well Dad, everyone did you proud yesterday and a glass of beer (or two) were drunk in your honour."
Barnaby and Grace, who were students at the University of Nottingham, were stabbed on Ilkeston Road while school caretaker Coates was knifed on Magdala Road in the city, the Mirror reports.
During a vigil in the city on Thursday, Barnaby's mum Emma told a 5,000 strong crowd to “hold no hate” as she paid tribute to the history student. Emma, from Taunton, Somerset, described her son’s killer as a “monstrous individual” - but bravely said, “he will not define us”.
She added: “I know he will receive the retribution that he deserves.However, this evil person is just that. He is just a person. Please hold no hate that relates to any colour, sex or religion.”
The city of Nottingham fell silent for one minute at 6pm, with thousands gathering in the city’s main square. Barnaby's mum was accompanied by her husband, who placed his hand on his wife’s shoulder, and their son Charlie.
She said: “We stand here and we feel your love. We are united in grief and shock and disbelief. One day we will smile again, but it will take time. Barney is more than a victim of a senseless murder. He loved pesto pasta but hated cottage pie.
“He was obsessed with aeroplanes and he still carried a dream of being a pilot in the RAF one day.”
Addressing Barnaby directly, she said: “My beautiful, beautiful boy. You have mine, your dad and your brother’s heart forever.”
Emma embraced Grace’s mum Sinead before she gave an equally heart-wrenching speech.
Sinead, accompanied by her husband Sanjoy, described her daughter as her “treasure”.
She added: "My beautiful baby girl wasn’t just beautiful on the outside, you must have seen her pictures, she was so beautiful on the inside. She wanted very few things in life, she wanted to be a doctor, she wanted to play hockey with her pals, she wanted to have fun.
“All they were doing was walking home, just walking home after a night-out. It just is truly so unfair but I’ll echo what my husband said - be kind to each other, look after each other, don’t have hate in your hearts.
“Say prayers for my baby girl. The magnitude of the grief here reflects the magnitude of the love, the love we had for her.”
Ian Coates' son James was also in attendance and promised support to Grace and Barnaby's family. Wearing a shirt of his beloved Nottingham Forest, he thanked everybody for the “kind words” that have poured in about his father.
Valdo Calocane has been charged with three counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder after a van was allegedly driven at pedestrians in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
Chief Constable Kate Meynell, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: "These charges are a significant development and arise as a result of our thorough investigation into these horrific incidents that occurred in our city.
"Our thoughts remain with the families and friends of all those affected by these attacks, and we will continue to provide support and reassurance."
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