Lucy Letby, the nurse who was convicted of killing seven premature babies last year, has been convicted of the attempted murder of another infant after a retrial.
Letby, 34, worked on a special unit for premature babies at the hospital and last year was convicted of the murder of seven infants and the attempted murder of another six.
She had denied any involvement in the deaths but the first trial heard they all occurred at the hospital in Chester on dates and times between June 2015 and June 2016 when she was on shift.
She lost a legal bid for a new trial at the Court of Appeal earlier this year.
None of the children involved in the case can be identified for legal reasons.
‘Cold-Blooded Calculated Killer’
After her conviction on the latest count, senior crown prosecutor Nicola Wyn Williams, said, “The jury has heard all of the detailed evidence including from her in her own defence and formed its own view.”She described Letby as a “cold-blooded, calculated killer” and added: “The grief that the family of Baby K have felt is unimaginable. Our thoughts remain with them and all those affected by this case at this time.”
A key witness at the second trial was consultant paediatrician Dr. Ravi Jayaram who said he caught her “virtually red-handed” as he entered an intensive care room at about 3:45 a.m.
Dr. Jayaram managed to resuscitate Child K but he told the jury there was “no evidence” Letby had done anything to help the baby, whose condition was clearly deteriorating.
Letby had not called for help as Child K’s blood oxygen levels suddenly dropped.
Giving evidence, Letby said she could not recall the incident, but she denied harming Child K and reiterated that she was innocent of the seven murders.
It can now be reported for the first time that a bid by her lawyers to have the attempted murder charge thrown out was rejected by the trial judge.
Ben Myers, KC had argued there was “overwhelming and irremediable prejudice” to Letby because of the extent of the press coverage of her first trial and her convictions.
A public inquiry into the deaths at the neo-natal unit and how Letby was able to commit the crimes is set to begin at Liverpool Town Hall in September.
