Nurse Lucy Letby GUILTY of murdering seven babies on hospital ward
The 33-year-old has also been convicted of attempting to murder six other infants
Last updated 18th Aug 2023
Lucy Letby, the nurse accused of killing babies at a Cheshire hospital, has been found guilty of murdering seven children.
A jury at Manchester Crown Court found Letby, 33, guilty of the murders, as well as the attempted murder of six other infants.
The neonatal nurse, originally from Hereford, was alleged to have committed the offences whilst working at the Countess of Chester Hospital during 2015 and 2016.
More than eight months of evidence was heard in the trial. Letby had always denied any wrongdoing.
After over 110 hours of deliberations the jury returned verdicts on 16 of the charges. They failed to reach verdicts on six charges.
The jury of seven women and four men at Manchester Crown Court found her guilty of 7 counts of murder and 7 counts of attempted murder.
The CPS have until the 15th of September to decide whether to hold a retrail.
Giving evidence during her trial, Lucy Letby told Manchester Crown Court that she "never did anything to harm children" and "only did my best to care for them".
She also told the court that she was "sickened" and "devastated" when she learnt about the allegations against her.
"I don't think you can be accused of anything worse than that... I changed as a person, my mental health deteriorated", she told the jury in May.
Prosecutor Nick Johnson KC told the court that Letby did not want to admit the truth because it was "bad for her".
Mr Johnson also accused Letby of attacking nine of her alleged victims shortly after their parents left their cotsides.
He also claimed the 33-year-old falsified medical records to "cover her tracks".
Detective Superintendent Paul Hughes, Senior Investigating Officer, said: "When you listen to the evidence and actually just how delicate these babies are in the position that they're in, then you realise it becomes very clear that somebody with a sinister mind in that environment does have themselves, and can create themselves, and I believe had created themselves the opportunity to cause harm.
Detective Chief Inspector Nicola Evans, Deputy Senior Investigating Officer, said: "It's been a long journey. When you stand back it's heart-breaking and I don't think you need to be a parent to understand that or to feel that.
"Coming with that for me was just an overwhelming sense of responsibility that we give those answers they deserve."
Ms Evans added: "This whole trial has centred around Lucy Letby. She has chosen not to answer certain questions, she has chosen to be evasive in some areas and that was a choice by her.
"This now, for me, is not about Lucy Letby."
Letby is due to be sentenced in due course.