Lucy Letby Accused of Murdering Baby by Injecting Air Into Tiny Patient
Lucy Letby, 32, stands accused of a chilling method to kill premature babies at Chester’s neonatal unit. Prosecutors say she injected air into a tiny baby’s stomach through a nose tube, causing his heart and breathing to stop.
A pathologist described the method as “fairly effective” because it “doesn’t really leave much trace,” the Manchester Crown Court heard.
‘Pattern of Attacks’ Emerges at Countess of Chester Hospital
Letby is charged with murdering Child C just six days after her first alleged attack on babies in June 2015. Prosecutor Nick Johnson KC told jurors a “pattern was emerging” in her way of attacking babies, which was “beginning to develop.”
Letby was also present when another baby suddenly collapsed, adding to the prosecution’s claim of a “constant malevolent presence.”
Timeline of Horror: From Child A to Child C
- Letby’s alleged first victim, Child A, died on June 8, 2015, after air was injected into his bloodstream. His twin, Child B, also collapsed.
- Child C, born prematurely at just 30 weeks weighing 800g, was in good health when Letby worked the night shift caring for a different baby on June 13.
- At 11.15 p.m., alarm sounded for Child C. Letby was found near his incubator for the third time that week after babies had collapsed.
- Despite hours of desperate resuscitation, Child C died early morning on June 14.
An independent pathologist concluded Child C’s death was caused by air injected into his body through his nose tube – a deliberate act, prosecutors say.
Sinister Behaviour and Online Searches After Baby’s Death
Hours after Child C died, Letby reportedly searched Facebook for the baby’s parents – one of the first things she did after finishing her shift around 8 a.m., Mr Johnson told jurors.
Crucially, Letby was the only nurse working the night shift when Child C died who had also worked shifts during Child A and Child B’s collapse.
Nurse Denies All Charges in Ongoing Six-Month Trial
Letby, from Hereford, denies murdering five boys and two girls, and attempting to kill ten more babies. The prosecution claims she used several methods including insulin poisoning and air injections.
Investigations found a “significant increase” in baby collapses couldn’t be explained — but Letby’s presence on duty was a common factor.
The shocking trial continues at Manchester Crown Court.
