Serial child killer Lucy Letby issues statement from prison

Lucy Letby, who was found guilty of murdering seven babies and trying to kill six others, issued a statement from prison to a panel which ruled on her fitness to practise nursing. The 33-year-old was sentenced in August to 14 whole-life orders after being convicted of the offences, which occurred on the Countess of Chester Hospital’s neonatal unit, where she worked between June 2015 and June 2016. Letby has now been found unfit to practise at a Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) hearing, which took place in east London.

The chair of the panel, Bernard Herdan, said the panel was satisfied that Letby caused harm to patients, brought the profession into disrepute and breached fundamental tenets of the profession, before announcing they find her fitness to practise is impaired.

The finding follows submissions from Christopher Scott, for the NMC, in which he said: “The harm that she caused is so egregious, the lack of insight and remorse that she demonstrated so striking, that the finding of impairment is necessary.” He quoted Mr Justice Goss’s sentencing remarks – highlighting the judge saying “this was a cruel, calculated and cynical campaign of child murder” that involved “a deep malevolence bordering on sadism” for which Letby showed “no remorse”.

The NMC’s barrister said Letby’s convictions are so serious that they cannot be remediated, that the panel should find her fitness to practise is impaired for public protection and that a failure to do so “would invoke a crisis in public confidence”. Mr Scott earlier told the panel that Letby faces 14 charges, brought by the council, which reflect her criminal convictions. He said it is “a matter of legal fact” that Letby was convicted of seven counts each of murder and attempted murder at Manchester Crown Court in August.

The panel was told Letby was asked in a “tick-box exercise” if she accepts the NMC charges. She ticked “yes” to each of the charges, but added: “I do not wish to take part or be present at the hearing. I do not resist the application to strike me off the nursing register.

“I accept the fact of the convictions. However, I do not accept that I am guilty of any of the allegations. “I maintain my innocence in respect of all of the convictions.

These convictions are now the subject of an appeal.” The panel found the fact of Letby’s convictions was proven. Letby, of Hereford, was told of the hearing, but did not attend and was not represented.

The panel decided to proceed in her absence. She faces a retrial next June for one count of attempted murder. Don’t miss the biggest and breaking stories by signing up to the Echo Daily newsletter here[3]

Win a GBP250 Buyagift voucher and make treasured memories this Christmas[4]

References

1. ^ Brianna Ghey live court updates as murder trial continues (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
2. ^ Dramatic moment car crashes into Boots as shoppers dive out the way (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
3. ^ Don’t miss the biggest and breaking stories by signing up to the Echo Daily newsletter here (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
4. ^ Win a GBP250 Buyagift voucher and make treasured memories this Christmas (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)