Lucy Letby to face retrial on attempted murder charge

The nurse, from Hereford, was sentenced to a whole life order after jurors convicted her of the murders of seven babies and the attempted murders of six others at the Countess of Chester Hospital’s neonatal unit in 2015 and 2016.

However, the jury in her trial at Manchester Crown Court was unable to reach verdicts last month on six counts of attempted murder in relation to five children.

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This morning (September 25), the prosecution, headed by Nicholas Johnson KC, said they are seeking  a retrial in the case of the attempted murder of Child K.

The remaining counts would 'lie on file' which means there was no result.

Letby appeared via video link from HMP Newhall to hear the hearing from court 4 at Manchester Crown Court.

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The retrial would last about two weeks, but the judge said that the jury can deliberate for some time, meaning that it could take up to three weeks.

Earlier this month, Letby, who is originally from Arran Avenue in Hereford, formally lodged a bid to challenge her conviction at the Court of Appeal.

The judge therefore said it would be 'inappropriate' for the retrial to take place until the appeal application was processed.

A provisional date of June 10, 2024 for the retrial has been set with it lasting two to three weeks.