‘We foolishly trusted the system. We’ve been railroaded by the CPS’
Families of the Nottingham killer’s victims have spoken of their disappointment regarding his sentence to an indefinite hospital order. Speaking outside Nottingham Crown Court yesterday, they criticised the procedures carried out by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
Emma Webber (Barnaby’s mother)
Justice has not been served today. We as a devastated family have been let down by multiple agency failings in effectiveness. The CPS did not consult with us, as has been reported. Instead, we’ve been rushed, hastened and railroaded.
We trusted in our system foolishly, as it turns out. We do not dispute that the murderer is mentally unwell and has been for a number of years. However, the premeditated planning, the collection of lethal weapons, hiding in the shadows and brutality of the attacks are that of an individual who knew exactly what he was doing.
He knew entirely that it was wrong, but he did it anyway.
To Rob Griffin, the assistant chief constable, who finally released this information publicly on Wednesday, I say this. You have blood on your hands. If you had just done your jobs properly there’s a very good chance my beautiful boy would be alive today.
There is so much more to say and clearly serious questions regarding this case and events leading up to this monster being out in society. But for today, our darling son, his dear friend Grace, and a wonderfully kind grandfather Ian have been stolen from us forever and let down by the very system that should be protecting them.
Dr Sanjoy Kumar (Grace’s father)
We will never come to terms with the loss of our beloved daughter Grace and how she lost her life.
Her heroic actions mean she was a gift to us and she was the gift of the country. We’d like to thank our wonderful family from London and Ireland, and all of our friends for their continued love and support.
While we have never questioned this man’s diagnosis, the lack of toxicology, contemporaneous mental health assessment, as well as missed opportunities to divert his lethal path, will forever play on our minds and this requires further review.
We will look for answers regarding missed opportunities to intervene and prevent this horrendous crime.
James Coates (Ian’s son)
My heart from the very beginning has gone out to the families of Grace and Barnaby. It will continue to go out to them, as we all now share an anniversary every June that will never be celebrated. They are the definition of strength and unity. My heart also goes out to Wayne Birkett, Marcin Gawronski and Sharon Miller, victims that have also been affected by this heinous crime. This man is a killer. Murder was the only thing he cared about. And he fulfilled this in horrific fashion. My family has suffered a great loss.
The children who my father had a positive impression on have suffered a great loss. The city of Nottingham has suffered a great loss.
Failures by the police, the CPS and the health service have resulted in the murder of my father and these two innocent students.
All we can do is hope that in due course some sort of justice will be served. This man has made a mockery of the system and he has gotten away with murder.