A former University of Nottingham student has been remanded in custody after being charged with murdering three people following a series of attacks in the city.
Valdo Amissao Mendes Calocane is accused of stabbing to death university students Grace O’Malley-Kumar and Barnaby Webber, both aged 19, and 65-year-old school caretaker Ian Coates in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
The suspect, 31, who gave his name in court as Adam Mendes, appeared in the dock at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on Saturday wearing a grey T-shirt and grey jogging bottoms.
He was flanked by three security officers.
He is next due to appear at Nottingham Crown court next Tuesday.
Calocane, of no fixed address, has also been charged with attempted murder after three people were injured, one critically, when they were hit by a van.
Police said on Thursday the suspect was a former University of Nottingham student.
Nottinghamshire Police Chief Constable Kate Meynell said: “This has been an incredibly sad time for our city and county, and we stand united with our communities as we come to terms with the effects of what has happened.
“We are keenly aware of the deep emotion being felt surrounding these tragic events and the high level of interest, not only in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire but also across the whole country.
“However, posting prejudicial information online about an active case could amount to contempt of court and, in the most serious cases, have the potential to cause the collapse of a trial.”
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Tributes have been paid to the victims following the attacks.
Medical student Miss O’Malley-Kumar, who played for the England under-18s hockey team, was hailed “a truly wonderful young lady” by her family and that she would be “so dearly missed”.
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The family of Mr Webber, a history student and keen cricketer, have described their “complete devastation” at the “senseless murder of our son”, saying he was a “beautiful, brilliant, bright young man, with everything in life to look forward to”.
Mr Coates’ sons said his death had “rocked everyone’s world” and that he was a “great father”.
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At an emotional vigil on Thursday evening, the mother of Mr Webber urged people to “hold no hate” in the wake of the attacks.
On Friday, cricketers at the first Ashes Test at Birmingham’s Edgbaston ground also wore black armbands and held a moment of silence.
