Victims' families have been forced to relive their trauma and engage in extensive campaigning to prevent individuals who have committed violent crimes from being considered for early release, according to Emma Webber, whose son Barnaby was among those killed in the Nottingham attacks.
Webber described the process as deeply distressing, stating that families had to endure "petitions, doing news interviews, having to talk about the terrible losses we have suffered." She expressed frustration that such a confrontational approach seemed necessary to achieve results, emphasizing that the fight for justice has come at a "great cost" to the families.
She characterized the prospect of releasing individuals who have taken lives and destroyed families from their sentences early as "abhorrent" and "morally bankrupt." Webber suggested that the controversy surrounding these early release plans highlights broader issues with funding within the justice system.
Following their advocacy, Webber confirmed that the families have received an invitation to meet with Justice Secretary Alex Norris to raise their concerns. This development comes after weeks of attempts to secure a meeting with ministers.
In July 2023, Valdo Calocane was sentenced for the murder of Barnaby Webber, 19, and Grace O'Malley-Kumar, 19, as well as the attempted murder of three other people. The attacks, which also involved the stabbing of school caretaker Ian Coates, 65, sent shockwaves through the community.