THE families of a Taunton teenager and a fellow student killed during a spate of attacks in Nottingham have vowed to “leave no stone unturned in ensuring justice is properly served”.

Valdo Calocane, 32, pleaded guilty at Nottingham Crown Court on Tuesday (November 28) to the manslaughter of Barnaby Webber and Grace O’Malley-Kumar, both 19, by reason of diminished responsibility.

The University of Nottingham students were stabbed in Ilkeston Road in the city at around 4am on June 13.

In a joint statement their families said: “The loss of our children has devastated our families; our grief has no boundaries.

“Over the past five-and-a-half months we have struggled to come to terms with the needless and horrific attack that led to them both losing their lives and their bright futures on June 13.

READ MORE: Man admits killing Barnaby Webber and two others.

“We will leave no stone unturned in ensuring justice is properly served for Barnaby and Grace, and for all those affected by the devastating events of that evening.

“We have taken great comfort from the support we have received from the public and will push to make sure lessons are learnt from this case.”

During the hearing, Calocane, who answered to the name Adam Mendes, also admitted the manslaughter of school caretaker Ian Coates, 65, by reason of diminished responsibility.

But he pleaded not guilty to murdering his three victims.

READ MORE: Friend running an ultramarathon in Barnaby's memory.

He admitted the attempted murders of three pedestrians – Sharon Miller, Marcin Gawronski and Wayne Birkett – on the same day after hitting them with a van he had allegedly stolen from Mr Coates.

His barrister, Peter Joyce KC, said the defendant “does not dispute the physical facts of the prosecution’s case”, but was suffering from “extreme” mental illness at the time.

Karim Khalil KC, prosecuting, said the Crown will need further time to decide whether Calocane’s pleas are acceptable.

Miss O’Malley-Kumar and Mr Webber, who were studying medicine and history respectively, were walking home when they were attacked.

Mr Coates was found dead in Magdala Road around an hour later.

Calocane is then alleged to driven at the three pedestrians in Milton Street and South Sherwood Street.

Thousands attended vigils for the victims at the University of Nottingham and in the city centre.

Mr Webber, from Taunton, was a keen cricketer and “an extraordinary ‘ordinary’ person”, his family said.

Ms O’Malley-Kumar, from east London, was described by her family as being “loved endlessly by all” and “resilient and wise beyond her years”.

Their families have pledged to create foundations in their memory to ensure they “leave a legacy”, with fundraisers raising more than £80,000 combined.

Two of Mr Coates’ sons said his death had “rocked everyone’s world”, adding: “Nobody deserves this but he definitely didn’t.”

Judge Mr Justice Turner adjourned the case until January 16 2024.