Posthumous degrees for Nottingham attacks victims

Two students who died in the Nottingham attacks in 2023 have been awarded posthumous degrees by the University of Nottingham.

Grace O’Malley-Kumar and Barnaby Webber, both 19, were stabbed to death on 13 June 2023, in a series of attacks that also claimed the life of school caretaker Ian Coates.

Barnaby’s younger brother Charlie, 17, accepted a history degree in his honour on Monday, while Ms O’Malley-Kumar was awarded a bachelor of medical science on Thursday.

Before the ceremony, Charlie said it was a “monumental moment” for the family.

“We know how much he would have been so chuffed to have gotten his degree this time if he was still here,” he said.

“It means a lot to come up here, and I feel honoured to be able to collect my brother’s degree for him.”

Charlie thanked the university and the people of Nottingham for supporting the family, and said his brother had a huge connection with the city.

“He loved it – from the social life to his academics to his sport up here, he was obsessed with Nottingham – it was a real job for my parents to get him back to Taunton,” he said.

“The city was there for us immediately – they didn’t know us, they’d never met us, they didn’t know our names, they wouldn’t have even met Barney, but they were there for us the whole time.”

At the degree ceremony on Monday, friends and family of Mr Webber paid tribute.

Abi Brant, who has just graduated with a geography degree, knew Barnaby when they were at school in Somerset before they reconnected while studying in Nottingham.

She said it was “bittersweet” to attend the event.

“We’re just here to support Charlie and the family,” she said.

“It’s such a tough day, but it’s also such a lovely day to celebrate Barney’s graduation.

“Although he’s not here, it’s nice to be able to support the family, and it’s great that the university has honoured Barney as well.”

Politics and international relations graduate Ollie Chaplin, 22, met Mr Webber through the university’s cricket team.

He said the posthumous degree is “a great gesture” to show the lasting legacy of his friend.

“It’s a sign that he’s not forgotten, not just by his friends, but by the institutions that he went to,” he said.

“It’s a really proud moment for his family, but also for his friends – obviously he can’t be with us, but it’s a great day to honour his memory.”