Letby, who wept as she gave evidence in court for the first time, denied all 22 charges against her, saying that her job at the Countess of Chester Hospital was her life.
The 33-year-old nurse, who had always wanted to work with children and had studied to become a nurse, refuted the allegations that she had harmed any of the babies she had cared for during the period in question, and called the accusations against her “sickening.”
Despite this, the prosecution has alleged that Letby used various means to target babies, including injecting them with air and poisoning them with insulin between 2015 and 2016.
Letby’s family members and the public gallery watched proceedings as she was questioned by her defence barrister, Ben Myers KC. Letby told the court that she was the first member of her family to go to university and that she valued her career as a nurse highly. She had cared for hundreds of babies during that period, and denied that she had harmed any of them.
When she first became aware of the allegations against her, Letby went to her GP as she was not sleeping or eating. She was diagnosed with PTSD following her arrest and continues to receive psychological support.
The trial has heard previously that notes were found at Letby’s home during a search by detectives; Letby explained that when she wrote them, she had been “really struggling” with her mental health and they were a way for her to express everything she was feeling.
Letby broke down in tears as she recalled her arrest on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. She was led away in her pyjamas and questioned about her alleged crimes.
The entire ordeal was described as the “most scariest thing” she ever went through, and she has been traumatised by the experience. She also said that the accusations impacted her mental health and she has had suicidal thoughts.
The trial continues
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