By James Simons-
Police have been granted more time to question a man accused of killing three people in horrific knife and van attacks in Nottingham, after two students and a school caretaker were stabbed to death.
Cops extended the 24 hours limitation period in the UK before either charging or release them from custody. Police can apply for an extension through magistrates’ court to allow them to question suspects for up to 96 hours.
The Eye Of Media.Com has heard from reliable sources that the attacker suffered from complex mental health issues .
The suspect was former student t Nottingham University, but would not confirm whether he was formerly known to the police.
The force added the suspect is believed to have made his way to a supported living complex in Mapperley Road after the attack on the students but was denied entry, an incident which had not been reported to police at the time.
He then allegedly continued on foot to Magdala Road where Mr Coates was killed and had his van stolen.
The force said in a statement: “We are still working alongside Counter-Terrorism Policing and keeping an open mind on the motives behind these attacks.”
Nottinghamshire Police confirmed to this publication that it had granted an extension to keep the suspect in custody for up to 96 hours at around 3.15pm on Wednesday, June 14., but could not confirm any other details.
When asked whether the extension was an indication it was probing the suspect more due to a potential lack of adequate evidence to charge the suspect, the force said ”nothing should be read into the reasons for the extra time granted for questioning, and that.
The man is custody is currently held on suspicion of killing Barnaby Webber and Grace O’Malley-Kumar in Ilkeston Road and the killing of Ian Coates in Magdala Road on Tuesday, June 15.
Thousands of students, attended an emotional vigil on Djanogly Terrace, at the University of Nottingham, on Wednesday, where dozens of flowers were laid in memory of Barnaby Webber and Grace O’Malley-Kumar, both of whom were first year students at the University.
Both students were stabbed to death as they walked home from a night out in Nottingham just after 4am on Tuesday (June 13). Huntingdon Academy caretaker Ian Coates was found fatally stabbed in Madgala Road, Mapperley Park.
The father of one of the victims, Grace Kumar, made an emotional plea at a vigil held by the university in which he expressed his appreciation to all who attended, and asked them to look after each other.
The families of medical student Grace O’Malley-Kumar and history student Barnaby Webber stood together as they addressed the thousands who gathered to pay their respects.
Barnaby’s father David told those gathered that “his heart will be with you guys forever” while Grace’s father Sanjoy told the students to look after each other.
Mr Kumar said: “The love that we have out here, I just wish we had it everywhere. So, look after each other is the big thing. Look after your friends and look after people around you. It is so important.”
The third victim of the attacks was revealed yesterday as school caretaker Ian Coates, a father to three as well as a grandfather.
Mr Coates’ sons left tributes at the scene of his death on Wednesday, telling reporters he was “a die-hard Forest fan” and a keen fisherman who took young people from deprived backgrounds fishing to try to divert them from crime.
Only 24 hours earlier, a £150,000 fund was made available through the launch of a Make Notts Safe Innovation Fund to tackle crime in the area, with trailblazers urged to think outside the box for ways to tackle crime after £150,000 was made available through the launch of a new Make Notts Safe Innovation Fund.
The force said it has an annual initiative to combat knife crime, adding that there has been a 2% reduction in knife crime compared to the year before, and that there had before that been a 7% reduction in knife crime in Nottingham compared to the year before.
”Knife crime in Nottingham is below the national average’, the force also confirmed.
It would not confirm whether the suspect was known to police before this incidence.
Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Caroline Henry has been looking for organisations with brand new project ideas to apply, and help make a difference within the communities across the county.
The parents of both victims gave an emotional speech to mourners after the vigil in which they expressed their appreciation for their support.
A second vigil will be held in Old Market Square on Thursday, June 15 from 5.30pm, when the Lord Mayor, Cllr Carole McCulloch and council leader Cllr David Mellen will be joined by
Professor Shearer West, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Nottingham. Representatives from faith communities who will lead a minute’s silence at 6pm from the steps of the Council House.