Lucy Letby, the former neonatal nurse convicted of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder six others, has been handed another whole life order for the attempted murder of an extremely premature infant. The 34-year-old was found guilty by a jury following a retrial at Manchester Crown Court.
Letby, who was already serving 14 whole life orders for her previous convictions, maintained her innocence as she was sentenced for this additional charge. The latest conviction relates to the attempted murder of a baby known as Baby K in February 2016, a charge on which the jury in her original trial had been unable to reach a verdict.
In contrast to her absence during last year’s sentencing, Letby was present in court today, dressed in a black suit and blue blouse. As she was led from the dock, she turned and said, “I’m innocent,” despite the court’s ruling.
Mr Justice Goss, who presided over the case, described the attempted murder as “another shocking act of calculated, callous cruelty.” He noted Letby’s lack of remorse and her attempts to deny responsibility and blame others for her actions.
The prosecution alleged that Letby had displaced Baby K’s breathing tube and was caught “virtually red-handed” when a doctor entered the room. They further claimed that after the baby’s recovery, the tube was displaced two more times that night in what they believe were additional attempts by Letby.
This latest sentence ensures that Letby will spend the rest of her life in prison, adding to the shock and grief experienced by the families affected by her crimes at the Countess of Chester Hospital.
The case has drawn significant public attention, raising questions about hospital safety protocols and the detection of potential misconduct in healthcare settings. As the legal proceedings conclude, the focus now turns to supporting the affected families and implementing measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
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