The UK's Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has announced it will not pursue additional criminal charges against former nurse Lucy Letby. Letby is currently serving a whole life sentence after being convicted of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder six others.
Background
- Letby was found guilty in August 2023 of offenses committed between June 2015 and June 2016 while working in the neonatal unit at the Countess of Chester Hospital.
- She was subsequently sentenced to a whole life order for these convictions.
CPS Decision
- The CPS conducted a review of further allegations concerning infant deaths and non-fatal collapses.
- These allegations related to incidents at both the Countess of Chester Hospital and Liverpool Women's Hospital.
- Eleven potential charges were considered in relation to a total of nine babies, including both murder and attempted murder for two infants.
- Frank Ferguson, head of the CPS's special crime and counter terrorism division, stated that a thorough review concluded the evidential test for prosecution was not met in any of these additional cases.
- The decision was made independently, based on the evidence, and in accordance with legal standards.
- The CPS has informed the families involved and offered further meetings to explain their decision-making.