The mother of a 19-year-old stabbed to death in the Nottingham attacks has paid tribute to her “beautiful boy” at a vigil for the victims.

Emma Webber told the crowd: “Please hold no hate to any race, colour, sex or religion in your heart… My beautiful boy – you have my, your dad and your brother’s heart forever.”

There was a minute’s silence and the families shared memories of their loved ones in the city’s Old Market Square.

Families of victims speak at vigil – live updates

The sons of school caretaker Ian Coates wore football shirts with “RIP dad” on the back as they spoke publicly for the first time

“We are still dealing with what has happened,” one of them said.

“My dad was an avid fisherman who loved his family and he also loved Nottingham Forest.”

Grace O’Malley’s parents and brother also spoke, with her mother telling the crowd: “All they were doing was walking home. They were just walking home after a night out.

“This person must face justice, it is truly unfair.”

Grace’s younger brother said she was like a “best friend” to him, adding: “I urge you all to cherish all the moments with your loved ones because you never know when it will end.”

Police earlier revealed the man suspected of the triple murders in Nottingham is a former student of a university in the city – as detectives were granted another 36 hours to question him.

A 31-year-old man was tasered and arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody.

University of Nottingham students Grace O’Malley-Kumar and Barnaby Webber, both 19, were found stabbed to death in Ilkeston Road at around 4am on Tuesday.

School caretaker Ian Coates, 65, who was described by his sons as “everyone’s friend”, was then found dead in Magdala Road after his van was allegedly stolen by the suspect.

Another three people were hurt, one critically, when they were run over by a van.

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