Two men with paranoid schizophrenia stabbed members of the public in separate attacks weeks before Valdo Calocane's killings in Nottingham – and all were under the care of the same NHS trust, the BBC has found. Josef Easom-Cooper and Junior Dietlin injured six men in the stabbings in Nottinghamshire in 2023. Within weeks, Calocane - who also has paranoid schizophrenia -stabbed to deathBarnaby Webber, Grace O'Malley-Kumar and Ian Coates on 13 June 2023. Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trusthas been criticisedover its care of Calocane, and in response to the BBC's findings, apologised to those "affected for any aspects of our care that were not of the high standard our patients deserve". On 9 April 2023, Easom-Cooperstabbed a worshipperwho was leaving an Easter Sunday service at St Stephen's Church in Sneinton. The BBC has spoken to his victim, a man in his 40s, who survived. He did not wish to be interviewed. Shelly said as a teenager, her son was under the care of child and adolescent mental health services (Camhs) in Nottingham. "I started to routinely go into his room and I would find knives... I found an axe, my kitchen knives would quite often be in his room," she said. Shelly said she would take photos of the weapons, and inform police and mental health services whenever she came across them. According to Shelly, things massively deteriorated when Easom-Cooper turned 18. During the grips of a psychotic episode, he left Highbury Hospital - where he was due to be sectioned - to kill a friend before he was stopped. He was then sectioned by the hospital - run by Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust - in July 2022 for three months, but Shelly says she told staff he was not ready to be discharged. "He was not OK when he was released," she said. "There was no way he was going to take his medication and I told them that... it was literally just a time bomb waiting to happen." Easom-Cooper was placed in accommodation managed by a housing association, but Shelly said he was "unravelling" in the seven months he was there, and not taking his medication while under the care of the trust's community team. Shelly remembers her shock and frustration when she learned about her son's knife attack. "I just bloody knew this was going to happen," she said. "I'm so sorry it happened. I really am. And as a mother, he's my son and he did that and that makes me feel quite ashamed." She said the stabbing could have been prevented if her son's paranoid schizophrenia had been taken more seriously. "It's disgusting that it takes someone to either lose their life or be stabbed before somebody thinks 'oh, hang on a minute, maybe we need to do something here'. "The mental health services in Nottingham have routinely and systematically let him down and also the victim," she added. Easom-Cooper was sentenced to a hospital order in December 2023. Nine weeks before Easom-Cooper's attack, Junior Dietlinstabbed five "complete strangers"over a weekend in Nottingham and Mansfield in February 2023. In what a prosecutor described as "a most odd and extraordinary case", Dietlin stabbed five men once in the right bicep and then ran away in separate attacks. One of the men stabbed was former police officer Keith Grafton, who was walking home from a pub in Mansfield. "Suddenly, [there was] a quick thump on my right arm... I know I've been stabbed straight away because I felt the knife going into my skin," the 71-year-old said. Keith says his attacker then ran off before he could "get anywhere near him". He said although the attack did not leave any lasting injuries, he was now "very wary" about going out late at night. Dietlin was sentenced to a hospital order, but Keith says he was "disappointed" Dietlin did not receive a prison sentence. The BBC has seen a report conducted by the trust into its contact with Dietlin. It said during a four-week stay at Highbury Hospital in June 2022, Dietlin was involved in violent incidents with staff and diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. The report said his family "could not express the wish that he remain in hospital a while longer". It added that, after his discharge, he took his medication "very irregularly". The family, the report added, "felt they were in a good position to observe subtle changes" in Dietlin's behaviour "that indicated he was unwell", but when community staff visited, they concluded there were "no signs of psychosis". Dietlin stabbed his first victim on 8 February 2023, and the report said he was visited by staff for a medication drop the next day. On 11 and 12 February, he stabbed four more people. Two weeks after, the trust conducted an "initial management review", from which they "did not identify any learning", according to the report. In a statement, the trust said these reviews are "completed straightaway to establish if there is any immediate learning while the full investigation is being completed". Earlier this year, an NHS England commissioned review into Calocane's care found major failings by the trust. Dietlin's incident was highlighted among 15 in that report of patients "either under the current care of the trust or who had been discharged from the trust, perpetrating serious violence towards members of the community" between 2019 and 2023. The independent review concluded the trust has an "absence of a robust approach to risk management". Keith Grafton said he did not know Dietlin's history of mental health issues, nor that he had been previously sectioned. He believes the decision to discharge his attacker into the community was "a big failing" by the trust, whom he blames for what happened to him. "If they'd done their job properly, then it wouldn't have happened," he added. Nottingham was brought to a standstill on 13 June 2023 in the wake of the attacks carried out by Calocane, who was sentenced to ahospital order in January 2024. He had been sectioned four times in under two years before his attacks, but was discharged by the trust because he "disengaged" from its community mental health team in September 2022. It meant there was no contact between Calocane and mental health services, or his GP, for about nine months before the killings. Details of Calocane's medical records wererevealed in a BBC Panorama documentaryand the NHS commissioned report, which also stated that "the system got it wrong" with the triple killer. Shelly said she felt the missed opportunities in Calocane's care mirrored her son's experience. She added: "When I became aware of the facts, I thought that could have so easily have been Josef... I just remember thinking 'you know what? I'm glad he's in hospital'. "Those poor people had their lives cut short in such hideous ways for no reason, just because we're not putting proper time and effort into making sure that people are well enough to walk the streets." Marjorie Wallace, chief executive of mental health charity SANE, said the BBC's findings show that had the trust learned lessons from Dietlin and Easom-Cooper, then Calocane's killings could have been prevented. "Their failings were failure to listen to the families, failure to watch the person... and the failures to protect both the patient and then the public by discharging them far too early when they are too ill," she said. Neil Hudgell, a solicitor representing the families of Calocane's victims, said the BBC's findings showed "that very little ever resonates as it should with mental health trusts, and potentially had they learned effectively enough over the years, the events of 13 June 2023 would not have happened". "The families continue to rage at the incredibly sad and needless loss of the lives of their much-missed loved ones," he added. In a statement, Dr Sue Elcock, deputy chief executive and executive medical director at the NHS trust, said: "I want to reassure people that following any serious incident, we carry out an investigation in order to identify any areas for learning and improvement. "We apologise to those affected for any aspects of our care that were not of the high standard our patients deserve." The statement added the trust had "a more robust patient discharge policy and a sharper focus on assessing and managing any risks patients may pose to others". Dr Elcock added: "We have made significant changes to improve family engagement, and the involvement of patients and their families and our family liaison team is included in all considerations." On Thursday, the government confirmed the public inquiry into the attackswas under way, and will report back within two years with recommendations to prevent similar incidents. Follow BBC Nottingham onFacebook, onX, or onInstagram. Send your story ideas toeastmidsnews@bbc.co.ukor viaWhatsAppon 0808 100 2210.
Patients from Nottingham killer's NHS trust carried out stabbings weeks before attack
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Investigation Reveals Pattern of Violence Among Patients of Nottingham NHS Trust Prior to Fatal Stabbings"
Bbc News
7.2
TruthLens AI Summary
Recent investigations have revealed a disturbing pattern of violent incidents involving patients from the Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, culminating in a tragic series of stabbings. Two individuals, Josef Easom-Cooper and Junior Dietlin, both diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, committed separate attacks on members of the public just weeks before Valdo Calocane's fatal assaults on June 13, 2023. Easom-Cooper's attack occurred on Easter Sunday when he stabbed a worshipper leaving St Stephen's Church in Sneinton. His mother, Shelly, expressed her concerns over her son's mental health, detailing his history of violent behavior and her frustrations with the inadequate care he received. She highlighted how Easom-Cooper had been discharged from a psychiatric facility despite her warnings that he was not ready, which she believes contributed to the eventual attack. Similarly, Dietlin stabbed five men over a weekend in February 2023, with reports indicating that he had exhibited violent behavior while under the care of the trust and had been discharged despite his family's concerns regarding his mental state.
The Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust has faced significant backlash for its handling of these cases, particularly in light of the findings from the BBC's investigation. Families of the victims and mental health advocates argue that the trust failed to learn from previous incidents involving Easom-Cooper and Dietlin, ultimately leading to Calocane's violent outburst and the deaths of three individuals. The trust has acknowledged its shortcomings, issuing apologies and promising improvements in patient care and risk management. Despite these assurances, the underlying issues of communication and adequate mental health support remain a source of deep concern, particularly as the families of the victims continue to mourn the senseless loss of their loved ones. A public inquiry has been initiated to examine these incidents further and to recommend measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The news article sheds light on a troubling series of events involving individuals with mental health issues, specifically paranoid schizophrenia, who committed violent acts while under the care of the same NHS trust. This raises significant concerns about the efficacy of mental health services and public safety. The facts presented suggest a systemic failure within the Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, particularly regarding the management of patients with severe mental health conditions.
Implications of Care Quality
The article points to a pattern of inadequate care and oversight by the NHS trust, particularly in dealing with patients exhibiting dangerous behaviors. The criticism aimed at the trust indicates a potential failure to recognize the risks posed by patients like Valdo Calocane, whose violent actions followed similar incidents involving other patients. This raises questions about the protocols in place for monitoring and managing high-risk individuals.
Public Perception and Trust
By highlighting these incidents, the article aims to influence public perception regarding mental health services, potentially fostering fear and distrust within the community. It emphasizes the need for accountability and improvement in mental health care, suggesting that the public may feel unsafe due to perceived inadequacies in the system. The personal accounts from victims and their families further humanize the issue, likely eliciting empathy and concern from readers.
Concealment of Broader Issues
While the article focuses on specific cases, it may also divert attention from broader systemic issues within mental health care in the UK. The emphasis on individual incidents could obscure underlying problems such as funding shortages, staffing challenges, and policy gaps that affect mental health services nationwide. By concentrating on sensational violent acts, there may be an attempt to sidestep discussions about systemic reform that is desperately needed.
Analysis of Manipulation Potential
The article exhibits a moderate level of manipulative potential, primarily through its selective focus on violent incidents involving patients. The language used may evoke emotional responses, which can skew public opinion and lead to stigma against individuals with mental health issues. Additionally, the framing of the NHS trust's failures can create a narrative that blames the institution rather than addressing the complexities of mental health care.
Comparison with Other Reports
When compared to similar reports, this article fits into a larger narrative addressing the failures of mental health systems across various regions. It echoes concerns raised in other contexts, where patient care and safety have been called into question. The similarity in themes suggests a widespread issue that transcends individual cases, highlighting the need for comprehensive reform and better resources in mental healthcare.
Broader Social Impact
The revelations in this article could have significant implications for public policy, prompting discussions about mental health care funding and regulations. Politicians may face increased pressure to address these issues, potentially influencing upcoming elections and policy debates. Furthermore, public sentiment around mental health may shift, leading to calls for more stringent measures regarding the treatment and monitoring of individuals with severe mental health disorders.
Target Audience
This news piece seems to resonate particularly with communities concerned about public safety, mental health advocacy groups, and families affected by similar issues. It aims to engage readers who are both informed and affected by mental health policies, calling for action and reform in mental health care.
Economic and Market Considerations
While the article's direct impact on the stock market may be limited, it could influence healthcare sector stocks, particularly those associated with mental health services. Investors may become more cautious regarding companies involved in mental health care delivery, depending on public perception and potential reforms that could arise from these discussions.
Global Relevance
Though primarily focused on the UK, the article touches upon themes relevant to global discussions about mental health treatment and public safety. It aligns with ongoing debates about how societies manage mental illness and violent behavior, making it a point of interest in broader international dialogues.
The writing style of the article could likely involve some AI assistance, especially in structuring the narrative and emphasizing emotional responses. AI models might have been utilized to optimize readability and engagement, particularly in the way personal stories are integrated into the broader context of systemic failures.
In summary, the article presents a concerning snapshot of mental health care failures that could influence public opinion, policy, and the treatment of individuals with mental health issues. It is essential to consider the broader implications of such narratives and the potential for manipulation through selective reporting.