KILLER Valdo Calocane, a former Haverfordwest resident, will have his story laid bare in a BBC Panorama documentary first airing tonight. The programme, set to air at 8pm on BBC One, will uncover of Calocane’s disturbing background. He fatally stabbed three people in Nottingham in June 2023, sparking a debate about the failings of the UK’s mental health system.
Originally from Guinea-Bissau, Calocane moved to Haverfordwest in 2007 with his family after his father gained Portuguese citizenship and subsequently settled in the UK. The family, described by locals as “lovely neighbours” and “high achievers,” quickly integrated into the community. They were regular attendees of Calvary Church, where they were known for their devout faith.
Valdo’s mother, Celeste, a registered nurse, began working at Withybush General Hospital, a key institution in the town. Meanwhile, his father found work as a carer, contributing to the local community. Valdo himself attended Sir Thomas Picton High School, where he was known as a bright and studious pupil, before moving on to study mechanical engineering at the University of Nottingham.
However, behind this seemingly perfect façade, Valdo was struggling with severe mental illness. Diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia in 2020, he was sectioned multiple times within two years. The Panorama documentary reveals that, despite warnings from doctors that his condition could lead to tragedy, he was discharged into community care without a robust treatment plan.
The documentary also uncovers a shocking lapse in communication: Valdo’s family, who were deeply concerned about his well-being, only learned about a 300-page medical summary detailing the warnings about his condition after his sentencing. His mother, Celeste, and brother, Elias, have spoken out for the first time, describing the killings as a “preventable tragedy” and calling for urgent reforms to the mental health system.
“We had no idea the situation was this severe,” Celeste told Panorama. “If we had known, we would have fought harder to get him the help he needed. Instead, the system failed him, and now three innocent people are dead.”
The local community, particularly those connected to Withybush Hospital, has been left reeling. Colleagues of Celeste have expressed their shock and sadness, with many reflecting on the challenges faced by mental health services across the UK.
The aftermath of the Nottingham attacks has been devastating for all involved. Barnaby Webber and Grace O’Malley-Kumar, both students at the University of Nottingham, and Ian Coates, a school caretaker, lost their lives in the brutal attacks. The families of the victims, along with Valdo’s family, are now calling for a public inquiry to prevent such a tragedy from ever happening again.
In the wake of the killings, Valdo was sentenced to detention in a high-security hospital. The Court of Appeal upheld this decision, acknowledging his severe mental illness. However, the sentence has sparked debate, with many, including Barnaby Webber’s mother, Emma Webber, criticizing the criminal justice system for being “flawed and under-resourced.”
As the community of Haverfordwest grapples with these revelations, there are growing calls for accountability and change. The Care Quality Commission is set to release a review of Valdo’s care under Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, and many are hoping this will be the first step towards meaningful reform.
The Panorama documentary is expected to shed further light on the complexities of Valdo Calocane’s case, raising important questions about the state of mental health care in the UK and the support available to those in need.
As the town watches tonight’s broadcast, the tragedy that has unfolded will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the people of Haverfordwest and Pembrokeshire as a whole. The hope now is that these revelations will lead to real change and prevent such a horrific event from happening again.
Report by Maya Goodwin and Tom Sinclair
