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Daily Record
Daily Record
World
John-Paul Clark

School caretaker named as third victim of Nottingham knife attacks

A school caretaker has been named as the third victim of the Nottingham knife attacks.

Ian Coates is believed to have been found fatally stabbed in Magdala Road in the early hours of Tuesday morning, June 13.

It is alleged his van was then stolen by the suspect and used in an attempt to run over three people in Milton Street, Nottingham city centre. Ian was a school caretaker and worked at the Huntingdon Academy in St Ann's as the school site manager.

Ross Middleton, Executive Headteacher of Huntingdon Academy and Warren Academy, said: “Ian was a much-loved colleague who always went the extra mile for the benefit of our children and will be greatly missed. As a school community, it will take time to process this deeply upsetting news.

"We wish to extend our sympathy and condolences to all those affected by yesterday's tragic events.

"Due to the ongoing nature of the incident in Nottingham on the morning of 13th June, we ask all parents/carers, pupils and community members to join us in sharing our condolences with Ian's family, and to respect their right to privacy at this time."

The other two victims, students Grace Kumar and Barnaby Weber, were named yesterday. They were discovered dead in Ilkeston Road two miles from where Mr Coates' body was found.

Nottinghamshire Police have confirmed that a 31-year-old man is being questioned on suspicion of the savage murders. Another three people were injured when the man drove the stolen van into them.

One of them is said to be in a critical condition in hospital and the other two suffered minor injuries.

Cops eventually brought the van to a halt and officers used a taser in the arrest of the suspect.

Chief Constable, Kate Meynell confirmed that police are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.

She said: "Today there has been a shocking and tragic series of events, which has led to the lives of three innocent people being taken and another left another member of the public in a critical condition in hospital. My thoughts are with all of the families affected by this horrific incident

"We are working extremely hard to try and understand exactly what has happened. I can tell you that a 31 year old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody. We are not looking for anyone else in connection with the attacks, and I can reassure the public that it is safe to visit the city centre."

The family of Barnaby Webber described their “complete devastation” after the student was killed.

In a statment, they said: “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 other student, Grace Kumar, was a talented hockey player and England Hockey paid tribute yesterday.

They said: "We are all deeply saddened by the news of the tragic death of Grace Kumar in the major incident in Nottingham on Tuesday

"Grace represented England in the U16 and U18 squads while also playing for Southgate HC, Old Loughtonians HC, and the University of Nottingham HC. Our thoughts are with Grace’s family, friends, teammates and the whole hockey community at this time."

A motive for the vicious attacks remains unclear at this stage. Home Secretary Suella Braverman would not say if the incident was terror-related, and said, "we're in a very early stage of the investigation."

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