The third victim of the fatal stabbings in the UK city of Nottingham on Tuesday has been named.
Primary school caretaker Ian Coates, who was in his 60s, was found stabbed on Magdala Road early on Tuesday before the suspect is believed to have stolen his van and driven at pedestrians in Milton Street.
The headteacher at the school he worked at, Huntingdon academy, paid tribute to a “much-loved colleague who always went the extra mile”.
Ross Middleton said: “Ian was a much-loved colleague who always went the extra mile for the benefit of our children and will be greatly missed. As a school community, it will take time to process this deeply upsetting news. We wish to extend our sympathy and condolences to all those affected by yesterday’s tragic events.”
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Mr Coates was the third victim of the attack, in which Nottingham University students Barnaby Webber and Grace Kumar were also stabbed to death.
The pair, both 19, were found unresponsive on Ilkeston Road, northwest of the city’s centre, at 4am on Tuesday.
Mr Coates was found dead shortly afterwards in a different part of the city centre from knife injuries.
Nottinghamshire police said a man (31) was Tasered and was being questioned on suspicion of murder. They said the motive for the attack was yet to be determined.
The family of 19-year-old Barnaby Webber said “complete devastation is not enough to describe our pain” – labelling his death as a “senseless murder”.
Three people were injured in that incident, with one in a critical condition in hospital and two suffering minor injuries.
England Hockey said they were “deeply saddened” at the news of Ms Kumar’s death.
In a short statement on Twitter, it said: “Grace was a popular member of the England U16 and U18 squads and our thoughts are with Grace’s family, friends, team-mates and the whole hockey community at this time.”
‘Complete devastation’
In a statement, Mr Webber’s family said: “Complete devastation is not enough to describe our pain and loss at the senseless murder of our son.
“Barnaby Philip John Webber was a beautiful, brilliant, bright young man, with everything in life to look forward to. At 19 he was just at the start of his journey into adulthood and was developing into a wonderful young man.
“As parents we are enormously proud of everything he achieved and all the plans he had made.”
Taunton-based Bishops Hull Cricket Club also paid tribute to Mr Webber, who was one of its members, describing him as a “dear friend”. He was described as a “key part” of the club and the statement invited family and friends to lay flowers and pay their respects at the ground.
Former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan described Mr Webber as a “young cricketer gone far too soon”.
According to reports, the suspect was a west African migrant who had settled in the UK legally and was known to police. It is understood the man has a history of mental health issues.
Motive not determined
Nottinghamshire Police’s chief constable Kate Meynell told reporters the force was not looking for anyone else in connection with the incidents and no further arrests had been made. She said the motive behind the attack was yet to be determined, but officers were keeping an “open mind” and working with counter-terror police.
Ms Meynell confirmed officers had carried out searches at a number of properties around the city. A terraced property on Ilkeston Road was under police guard, with staff at a neighbouring hairdresser saying it had been raided last year.
British home secretary Suella Braverman said “we’re in a very early stage of the investigation” when asked whether the attack could have been terror-related. – PA