Lucy Letby receives 15th whole-life sentence for baby murders
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The serial killer, who has been described as persistent, calculated, and cold-blooded, has been convicted of killing seven children and attempting to murder another six.
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This undated handout issued by Cheshire Constabulary shows nurse Lucy Letby. (AP)
After being sentenced to a whole-life order for attempting to kill a newborn girl, Lucy Letby cried from the dock, declaring, "I'm innocent." The judge, James Goss KC, described her actions as a "shocking act of calculated, callous cruelty."
As Letby was taken to the court cells, she made this remark, prompting gasps in the courtroom. She turned to face the judge, showing her palms, and repeated, "I'm innocent," before being led away by prison officers.
Members of the newborn victim's family, who had just spoken about the enduring grief caused by Lucy Letby's crimes, appeared visibly shocked and emotional at her outburst.
Attempting to kill a 2-hour old child
Letby, 34, was found guilty on Tuesday of attempting to kill the extremely premature infant less than two hours after her birth on February 17, 2016. She received her 15th whole-life order, having previously been sentenced last year for murdering seven babies and attempting to kill six others. Letby was convicted of attempting to kill a seventh infant, known as Baby K, following a three-week retrial at Manchester Crown Court.
Judge Goss informed Letby that she had intentionally tampered with the breathing tube of the tiny newborn, who was born 15 weeks premature and weighed only 692g (1.52 lbs), while a nurse had briefly stepped away from the infant's side.
Her actions were “completely contrary to the normal human instincts and nurturing and caring for babies”, he said, and were “in gross breach of the trust that all citizens place in those who work in the medical and caring professions”.
Baby K passed away three days later after being transferred to a different hospital.
Letby carried out the murders when she was in her mid-20s and is set to be the third woman alive in Britain to serve a life term. Letby has also become the worst child serial killer in modern British history, according to media reports.
The serial killer was reported to police in 2017 and arrested in 2018 by authorities.
