The man accused of murdering three people in Nottingham tried to break into a residential care home during the rampage, it was claimed today. 

Chilling CCTV footage shows a black-clad man believed to be the Suspect looking for a way into Seely Hirst House, which houses vulnerable and homeless people.  

Witnesses said the man arrived at the property in Mapperley Road just after 4am – shortly after 19-year-old students Barnaby Webber and Grace O’Malley Kumar were stabbed to death on Ilkeston Road while returning from a night out. 

The man, who can be seen wearing a backpack in the footage – obtained by The Sun – tries to climb to an open window before being punched by a resident, sending him tumbling back down to the ground. 

The resident, who did not want to be identified, said today: ‘He tried to get into my window. Thank god I woke up as I might have been dead.’ 

He tried another way in but gave up and walked several yards away to Magdala Road, where school Caretaker Ian Coates, 65, was found stabbed to death shortly after being flagged down and dragged out of his van. 

The attacker is believed used the vehicle to run down a group of pedestrians in the city centre, leaving one of them critically injured. The suspect – aged 31 – was finally stopped by officers armed with Tasers at around 5.30am. A knife was recovered.

Alex Pridmore, a trustee of the care home, confirmed the suspect tried to gain entry to the property.

‘I’ve no idea why he chose here – he’s never stayed here so he has no links with the residential care home,’ he told Sky News. 

‘As you can imagine everyone is a bit shaken by what happened. We look after vulnerable people so we’re just relieved that he didn’t gain entry.’

Nottinghamshire Police said today: ‘A man matching the description of the suspect attempted to gain entry to a supported living complex in Mapperley Road.’ 

The triple murder suspect, who is believed to be a migrant from West Africa living in the UK legally for a decade, was today refusing to answer questions from police, according to sources. 

The 31-year-old is said to have arrived in the country as a teenager and have a history of petty drug dealing but no criminal record. He was described by neighbours as a ‘very quiet guy’, the Telegraph reported. 

There are also unconfirmed reports that the suspect recently converted to Islam and started attending an Islamic centre close to the scene. He is also understood to have a history of mental health issues.

It has been suggested that the investigation is turning away from terror and instead focusing on the suspect’s mental state – although Nottinghamshire Police has insisted they are keeping an open mind.

School caretaker Ian Coates became the third victim to be identified today.  

His brother, Paul Coates, tweeted: ‘R.I.P Ian Coates, my brother. Ian had led a good life but Grace and Barnaby were just starting out.’

Meanwhile, the victim’s son, Lee, wrote: ‘I’m broken.’

In a statement confirming Mr Coates’ death, Ross Middleton, Executive Headteacher, Huntingdon Academy and Warren Academy, said: ‘Ian was a much-loved colleague who always went the extra mile for the benefit of our children and will be greatly missed.

‘As a school community, it will take time to process this deeply upsetting news. We wish to extend our sympathy and condolences to all those affected by yesterday’s tragic events.’

Diana Owen, chief executive of the L.E.A.D. Academy Trust, said: ‘I am deeply shocked and saddened to hear about this tragic news.

‘Ian was a beloved and respected member of the Huntingdon Academy staff. My thoughts are with his family and friends during this extremely sad time.’

Barnaby’s family also paid tribute to him today, describing the talented cricketer as a ‘beautiful, brilliant, bright young man, with everything in life to look forward to’. 

Grace’s family are yet to release a public statement after declining to speak yesterday. England Hockey and local cricket clubs paid tribute to Grace this morning.

The tributes come as it was revealed the 31-year-old suspect arrested over the rampage previously lived on the street where the teenagers were killed. 

Sources say he is a low-level drug dealer who was known to police but did not have a criminal record. He is believed to have lived in the UK legally for over a decade with neighbours describing him as a ‘very quiet guy’, according to the Telegraph. 

There are also unconfirmed reports that the suspect recently converted to Islam and started attending an Islamic centre close to the scene. 

He is also described as having a history of mental health issues. 

It was previously suggested that the investigation is turning away from terror and instead focusing on the suspect’s mental state. 

The unnamed man is accused of knifing the students before also killing Mr Coates.   

He then took his van which he smashed into three people. He is currently in custody on suspicion of murder.

Barnaby’s parents David and Emma Webber, and younger brother Charlie, released a heartfelt statement today, telling how the murdered student was ‘at the start of his journey into adulthood and was developing into a wonderful young man’.

They said: ‘Complete devastation is not enough to describe our pain and loss at the senseless murder of our son.

‘Barnaby Philip John Webber was a beautiful, brilliant, bright young man, with everything in life to look forward to.

‘A talented and passionate cricketer, who was over the moon to have made selection to his university cricket team.’

‘A talented and passionate cricketer, who was over the moon to have made selection to his university cricket team.’

*SCHOOL’S TRIBUTE TO CARETAKER IAN COATES*

The statement continued: ‘At 19 he was just at the start of his journey into adulthood and was developing into a wonderful young man.

‘As parents we are enormously proud of everything he achieved and all the plans he had made.

‘His brother is bereft beyond belief, and at this time we ask for privacy as a family to be allowed time to process and grieve.

‘We will not be making any further statements, particularly in relation to the police investigation.

‘We are so proud to release these photographs, chosen by us as a family, of an amazing son, brother, grandson, nephew and friend.

‘Thank you for your understanding, and to everyone who has supported us in this awful journey so far.’ 

Grace’s grieving family declined to comment from their £2million north-east London home. 

Her father is believed to be hero doctor Dr Sanjoy Kumar, who previously saved the lives of three teenagers who were stabbed in a gang attack near his surgery, The Sun reports.

He helped move the 15, 16, and 17-year-old teens to a makeshift trauma room, before emergency services arrived.  

England Hockey said they were ‘deeply saddened’ at the news of Grace’s death.

In a short statement on Twitter, they said: ‘Grace was a popular member of the England U16 and U18 squads and our thoughts are with Grace’s family, friends, teammates and the whole hockey community at this time.’

Grace had been a member of Woodford Wells Cricket Club in Essex, with the club describing her as ‘fun, friendly and brilliant’.

In a short statement issued on Twitter, the club said: ‘Devastated to hear the news about former Wells Baby Belles captain, Grace Kumar.

‘A fiercely competitive, talented and dedicated cricketer and hockey player.’

Southgate Hockey Club, where Grace played as a member of the under-18s and women’s team, said they were ‘shocked and devastated’ by the news of her death – describing her as a ‘huge talent’.

The club tweeted: ‘It is with profound sadness that we have learned of the death of Grace O’Malley Kumar, a huge talent and much loved member of Southgate U18’s & W1’s.

‘We are shocked and devastated by the news, our thoughts and sincere condolences are with Grace’s family, friends and teammates.’

Barnaby and Grace had been walking home from a celebratory night out when they came across the man.