Nottingham Killer Valdo Calocane Not Detained Despite Psychiatrist's Initial Expectation
Dr. Mike Skelton, a consultant psychiatrist, has testified that he was unable to detain Valdo Calocane under the Mental Health Act in January 2022, despite attending the assessment with the expectation of doing so. Calocane, diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia in 2020, fatally stabbed Barnaby Webber, Grace O'Malley-Kumar, and Ian Coates, and attempted to kill three others on 13 June 2023.
The assessment followed an incident where Calocane held a flatmate hostage in their Nottingham residence. Dr. Skelton, familiar with Calocane from previous case discussions, allowed him to return home after the assessment, concluding he did not pose a sufficiently serious risk for detention.
Assessment and Medication Compliance
During the January 2022 assessment, Calocane was described by Dr. Skelton as "polite and calm," despite requiring a police warrant and 15 officers for his removal and transfer to Highbury Hospital's Cassidy Ward. Dr. Skelton was aware Calocane had not been adhering to his prescribed medication, a common issue among schizophrenia patients but not, in itself, a reason for detention under the Act.
Dr. Skelton noted that Calocane "wished to take control" during the assessment, an unusual dynamic. Factors influencing the decision included the police's choice not to arrest Calocane for the flatmate assault and Calocane's apparent composure. Dr. Skelton maintained that, based on the criteria observed, the legal powers to enforce detention were not met at that specific moment.
The inquiry heard that eight days after his release to the crisis team, a subsequent Mental Health Act assessment was ordered, at which point "genuine hard facts" regarding Calocane's non-compliance and condition became evident, leading to his re-admission to Highbury Hospital in July 2020.
Previous Interactions and Concerns
Crisis care practitioner nurse Josephine Baker also provided evidence, recounting a visit to Calocane in June 2020. While Calocane initially denied hallucinations, he later admitted to hearing voices, which Baker did not deem concerning at the time as he reported managing them. Baker was also involved in monitoring Calocane in January 2022, noting that he "didn't engage well" and had become "intimidating," making community treatment unsafe.
Calocane received an indefinite hospital order in January 2024, having pleaded guilty to three counts of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility and three counts of attempted murder. The inquiry continues.
