Lucy Letby, convicted of murdering seven infants, claims innocence as Cheshire Police broaden their investigation into possible corporate and gross negligence manslaughter related to increased neonatal fatalities.
Lucy Letby, a former nurse, is serving a sentence of 15 whole-life orders after being convicted of murdering seven infants and attempting to murder seven others during her time at the Countess of Chester Hospital between June 2015 and June 2016. Letby, aged 35 and originally from Hereford, maintains her innocence, claiming that she has been wrongly convicted.
Mark McDonald, Letby’s solicitor, has asserted that Cheshire Constabulary has made a “huge mistake” as the police focus a wider investigation into potential manslaughter charges against hospital staff. McDonald stated that the expert evidence gathered by her defence team indicates complicity in the cases that diverges significantly from the direction in which police investigations are currently heading.
On Thursday, Cheshire Constabulary announced that its investigation into corporate manslaughter at the Countess of Chester Hospital has expanded to include gross negligence manslaughter. The police indicated that suspects have been identified in connection with the investigation concerning baby fatalities that occurred between 2012 and 2016. This expansion reflects ongoing scrutiny of the hospital’s senior leadership and their decision-making processes regarding responses to the rise in infant fatalities.
In a statement provided by Cheshire Police, they stated that the investigation was initiated in October 2023, following Letby’s convictions. It aims to determine if there was any criminality at the leadership level concerning the response to the increased mortality rates. Importantly, police clarified that the ongoing investigations into corporate manslaughter and gross negligence manslaughter do not influence Letby’s existing convictions for multiple murders and attempted murders.
Cheshire Police have yet to disclose the number or identities of suspects involved in the current investigation, as no arrests or formal charges have been made. Nonetheless, officials have emphasised the integrity of their inquiry while expressing a commitment to support the families affected by these tragic events.
Meanwhile, the Thirlwall Inquiry— a public inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Letby’s actions— is scheduled to reconvene at Liverpool Town Hall on Monday for its final closing submissions. McDonald highlighted the timing of the police press release, suggesting it was unusual to coincide with significant legal proceedings and stressed the availability of substantial expert evidence that could shift the focus away from Letby.
Last month, an international panel of neonatal and paediatric specialists indicated that the deaths and incidents of collapse among the neonates could be attributed to inadequate medical care and natural causes, raising questions about the circumstances under which these tragic events occurred. This evidence has been forwarded to the Criminal Cases Review Commission, which scrutinises potential miscarriages of justice, and Letby’s legal team is hopeful that her case will be referred back to the Court of Appeal.
A spokesperson for the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust stated that, due to the ongoing Thirlwall Inquiry and police investigations, it would not be appropriate to make further comments at this time.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucy_Letby – This URL supports the claim that Lucy Letby was convicted of murdering seven infants and attempting to murder seven others during her time at the Countess of Chester Hospital. It also mentions the ongoing investigations and inquiries related to her case.
- https://www.cps.gov.uk/mersey-cheshire/news/lucy-letby-found-guilty-attempting-murder-baby-following-retrial – This URL corroborates Letby’s conviction for attempting to murder another baby following a retrial and highlights the prosecution’s case against her.
- https://people.com/crime/lucy-letby-trial-what-to-know/ – This URL provides details about Lucy Letby’s trial, including her convictions and the evidence presented against her, such as handwritten notes and unusual behavior observed by colleagues.
- https://www.noahwire.com – This URL is the source of the original article, providing context for the claims about Lucy Letby’s case and the ongoing investigations into the Countess of Chester Hospital.
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-65614444 – Although not directly available in the search results, this URL would typically provide news coverage of Lucy Letby’s case, including her convictions and the reactions to them.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative references recent events, such as the expansion of Cheshire Constabulary’s investigation into corporate manslaughter and gross negligence manslaughter, initiated in October 2023. However, it does not contain any outdated information or recycled news.
Quotes check
Score:
6
Notes:
Direct quotes are attributed to Mark McDonald and Cheshire Police, but specific original sources or dates for these quotes could not be verified online. The quotes appear to be recent and contextually relevant.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Belfast Telegraph, a reputable news source known for its coverage of UK news.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims about the ongoing investigations and legal proceedings are plausible given the context of the Lucy Letby case and the Thirlwall Inquiry. However, some details, such as the identities of suspects, remain unverified.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative appears to be current and based on recent developments in the Lucy Letby case and related investigations. It is supported by a reliable source and contains plausible claims, although some specifics remain unverified.
