Nottingham attack families traumatised by 'barbaric' police WhatsApp message about killings

In a heartbreaking revelation, families affected by the tragic killings in Nottingham last summer have been left reeling after a disturbing police WhatsApp message surfaced, describing the brutal murders of two students and a school caretaker in shockingly callous terms.

The message, shared among officers shortly after the killings of Barnaby Webber, Grace O'Malley-Kumar, and Ian Coates, described the victims as "proper butchered," causing outrage and anguish among their grieving families. The message's insensitive language, referring to the victims' injuries in gruesome detail, has left the families horrified and deeply distressed.

The message said: "So 2 students on Ilkeston road have been proper butchered, 4 section [officers] turned up and tried to hold their inners in. Suspects then made off and attacked a man in a car on magdala [road] and stabbed him to death."

Grace's father, Dr. Sanjoy Kumar, expressed his disgust, questioning the humanity of those responsible for the message. He highlighted the profound pain caused by the message's disregard for the victims' humanity, emphasizing the need for empathy and sensitivity in such circumstances.

Emma Webber, Barnaby's mother, penned an emotional open letter to the members of the WhatsApp group, condemning the callous and degrading nature of their comments. She implored them to consider the terror and agony experienced by the victims during the attack, urging them to reflect on the gravity of their words and the impact they have had on the families' trauma.

Mrs. Webber called for accountability and tougher action against the officer responsible for the message, emphasizing the importance of compassion and respect in handling such sensitive matters. She urged the officer to introspect and strive for greater empathy in their future actions, emphasizing the need for genuine remorse and understanding.

The officer who authored the message faced management intervention but did not undergo a misconduct hearing, prompting criticism from the families and the public. Meanwhile, PC Matt Gell, who shared the message outside the force, was found guilty of gross misconduct and received a final written warning.

The families' ordeal highlights the importance of sensitivity and empathy in law enforcement, especially when dealing with the aftermath of tragic events. The callousness displayed in the WhatsApp message serves as a stark reminder of the profound impact that insensitive language can have on grieving families and communities.

2024-04-25

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