Mourners gather for funeral of Nottingham attack victim Ian Coates as family of student killed in rampage pay tribute
MOURNERS have today come together to farewell Nottingham attack victim Ian Coates one month after he was knifed to death.
The 65-year-old grandad died just streets away from teens Grace O’Malley-Kumar and Barnaby Webber when the horror sunrise attacks unfolded in the city.
Ian‘s heartbroken family and friends have now gathered to say their final goodbyes to the grandfather who “rocked everyone’s world“.
Dozens left flowers for the football lover – including the family of fellow victim Grace.
The 19-year-old’s family wrote: “For Ian and the Coates’ family. Sending you all our thoughts and prayers.
“From the family of Grace O’Malley-Kumar.”
Other floral tributes read the words Gramps, Grandad, and Dad.
They were all in white and red – the colours of Nottingham Forest.
Ian’s grieving loved ones today gathered at the Bramcote Crematorium Serenity Chapel.
Ian worked at the L.E.A.D. Academy Trust and Huntingdon Academy.
After he died headteacher Ross Middleton dubbed him “a much-loved colleague who always went the extra mile for the benefit of our children”.
Today heartbreaking tributes were left by the L.E.A.D, too.
Ian was understood to be killed around 5am on June 13 – about an hour after the university students.
Police said they believed he was killed for his van – which was then used to mow three people down.
His funeral comes just days after the cause of death was revealed for the victims.
The students, both 19, died after suffering stab wounds to the chest and abdomen.
Ian died from stab wounds to the chest alone, Nottingham Coroners’ Court was told.
Senior coroner Mairin Casey told the hearing: “When any individual dies of unnatural causes, as has happened in this case, an inquest will always be opened.
“As the deaths of these three people occurred close in time on the same day and arising from a chain of events that is linked to one individual, it is right that these inquests should be opened at the same time.”
Valdo Amissao Mendes Calocane has been charged with three counts of murder.
He is also accused of attempted murder after three people were injured, one critically, when they were hit by a van.