Nurse who denies murdering eight babies at Chester hospital appears in court

Lucy Letby, who also denies attempted murder of ten other babies, appeared via video link from prison and is due to go on trial in October

A children’s nurse accused of murdering eight babies appeared in court via video link today for a hearing ahead of her trial.

Lucy Letby is accused of the murder of five baby boys and three baby girls and the attempted murder of ten other babies between June 2015 and June 2016.

Ms Letby, 31, who pleaded not guilty at a previous hearing, appeared at Manchester Crown Court via video link from HMP Bronzefield in Ashford, Surrey, for a session that heard legal arguments from both the defence and prosecution. She spoke only to confirm her name and address.

She is alleged to have killed the infants while working as a nurse on the neonatal unit of the Countess of Chester Hospital in Chester.

She was first arrested in 2018 and was charged in November 2020. Ms Letby, of Arran Avenue, Hereford, was remanded back into custody by Mr Justice Goss as the hearing concluded.

The trial date has been set for 4 October at Manchester Crown Court and it is expected to last for up to six months.

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