Posted 17 February 2023 - 08:00
Posted 17 February 2023 - 08:00
News
Lucy Letby sheds tears in court as doctor gives evidence
Ms Letby appears visibly upset as doctor recounts condition of a twin boy born prematurely, whom she is alleged to have attempted to murder
Ms Letby appears visibly upset as doctor recounts condition of a twin boy born prematurely, whom she is alleged to have attempted to murder
A nurse accused of multiple murders at a hospital neonatal unit broke down in tears as a doctor began giving evidence at her trial.
Lucy Letby abruptly left her seat in the middle of the glass-panelled dock at Manchester Crown Court on Thursday as the medic, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, confirmed his name.
Ms Letby was visibly upset as she walked towards the exit door of the dock before she had a brief, hushed conversation with a woman dock officer.
She then spoke with her solicitor through the glass panel before her barrister, Ben Myers KC, indicated to trial judge Mr Justice Goss that proceedings could continue.
Doctor’s evidence appears to disturb Ms Letby
The doctor, who was a registrar at the Countess of Chester Hospital in 2016, continued his evidence screened from the public gallery and the defendant.
Ms Letby listened on as she wiped away tears with a tissue and took a few sips of water.
The doctor told the court about his care of Child L, a twin boy born prematurely, whom the Crown says the defendant attempted to murder by poisoning him with insulin.
He treated Child L in the early hours of 10 April 2016 – the day after the neonatal nurse is alleged to have attacked the baby.
Doctor says blood sugar levels of child were concerning
The child’s blood sugar levels were decreasing during the night shift and were ‘lower than what I would have wanted’, the doctor said.
Asked by prosecutor Philip Astbury why it was necessary to stop the levels falling, the doctor replied: ‘Because low blood glucose levels in a baby can cause seizures. It’s damaging to a baby. If it falls to a much lower level, then it can cause liver damage and brain injury.’
Child L went on to make a full recovery, the court heard, and was discharged the following month.
Child’s twin brother also appears in allegations against Ms Letby
The infant’s twin brother, Child M, was released at the same time after he too recovered from a collapse on 9 April, said to have been caused by the defendant injecting air into his bloodstream or obstructing his airway.
Ms Letby denies murdering seven babies and attempting to murder ten others between June 2015 and June 2016.
The trial continues on Monday.
In other news