Nottingham attacks victim awarded George Medal
Grace O'Malley-Kumar, a Nottingham attacker, will be given the George Medal for her intimate sacrifice
to shield her friend. Ms O'Malley-Kumar attempted to protect Barnaby Webber, 19 years old, after being fatally wounded by a nascent schizophrenic Vald She is one of 20 recipients of the civilian gallantry awards, and one of four of four recipients is honoured posthumously. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer paid tribute to all of the recipients, including Ms O'Malley-Kumar, who said she made the ultimate sacrifice to protect her friend, and her legacy will continue to be a "powerful example of heroism.
This is what real courage looks like,
Sir Keir said.
We owe each of them - and their families - our deepest appreciation. "Their activities remind us of the tenacity and compassion that run through our communities.These extraordinary individuals demonstrated with selflessness and courage in moments of unimaginable vulnerability, revealing the very best of what we are as a nation.
The George Medalis Britain's second-highest civilian bravery award after the George Cross is given for "continuous gallantry not in the presence of the enemy. To be honoured posthumously, a relative must attend Buckingham Palace, where the King or another royal presenter receives the medal in person. People are praised for their courage and bravery in the face of danger.
Ms O'Malley-Kumar, a university of Nottingham undergraduate, and Mr Webber, from Taunton, Somerset, were walking home to their student accommodation after an end-of-term night out when they were fatally stabbed in Ilkeston Road just after 04:00 BST. Karim Khalil KC had appeared in court in January 2024-- when Calocane had pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the basis of diminished responsibility - Mr Webber was stabbed repeatedly
with a dagger, inflicting grave injury
and causing him to fall to the Ms O'Malley-Kumar displayed incredible courage
in shielding her friend, battling and pushing Calocane, 32, into the road, but the killer then turned his attention to her and was as brutal in his assault,
he said. Mr Khalil told the court that Ms O'Malley-Kumar's injuries were too severe, she collapsed as Mr Webber attempted to shield himself from the ground, punching out his attacker before Calocane calmly
walked away. Calocane went on to murder school caretaker Ian Coates, 65, who was driving his Vauxhall van nearby when he was repeatedly stabbed.
After pleaded guilty to three counts of murder on the grounds of diminished responsibility and three counts on attempted murder, Calocane was sentenced to three charges of attempted murder and three charges connected with the use of Mr Coates' van to propel three pedestrians into three pedestrian - Wayne Birkett, Marcin Gawronski, and Sharon Miller, all of whom were seriously injured.
Ms O'Mar explains.Grace O'Malley-Kumar was walking home to student accommodation in Nottingham with her companion, Barnaby Webber, when they were approached by a man with a large knife,
This resulted in the assassination of Grace with the knife, who continued to fight the attacker until she collapsed to the ground with multiple fractured bones.He carried out a sudden assault on Barnaby, prompting Grace to intervene in order to hold the assailant calm in the hopes of halting the assault.
Grace's extraordinary courage in the face of extreme danger is an excellent example of personal courage.Grace and Barnaby both died as a result of their injuries as resulting from the attack.
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