Graduates urged to raise a glass in memory of Barnaby

POSTHUMOUS DEGREES HAVE BEEN AWARDED TO NOTTINGHAM ATTACKS VICTIMS

- By OLIVER PRIDMORE

UNIVERSITY of Nottingham graduates were urged to “raise a glass” in memory of Barnaby Webber as he was awarded a posthumous degree two years on from his tragic killing.

Barnaby and fellow 19-year-old University of Nottingham student Grace O’Malley-Kumar were both awarded honorary degrees during this year’s graduation ceremonies.

The students and 65-year-old school caretaker Ian Coates were killed by Valdo Calocane in the early hours of June 13, 2023. Calocane received an indefinite hospital order for manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility and the attempted murder of three others, a sentence the families of the victims challenged.

A public inquiry into the Nottingham attacks is set to begin hearing evidence in February.

Barnaby and Grace had been studying history and medical science respectively at the University of Nottingham and it was recently confirmed that both would be receiving posthumous degrees in this year’s graduation ceremonies, marking the year in which they would have completed studies.

Grace was honoured with a Bachelor of Medical Sciences with Honours at a ceremony on Thursday, and Barnaby’s posthumous award was given at a ceremony yesterday.

Like Grace's parents, Barnaby’s mum and dad, Emma and David, both said in advance of the ceremony that they would find it too painful to attend and that his younger brother Charlie would instead accept the degree on his behalf.