British killer nurse Lucy Letby could face more charges
The allegations are now being considered by lawyers at the UK Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) after receiving the new evidence from Cheshire Police in recent days.
Advertisement
The number and exact nature of the potential new offences has not been made public yet and it could take weeks before a decision is made on whether to charge Letby with more offences.
In a statement, a CPS spokesman said: 'We can confirm that we have received a full file of evidence from Cheshire Constabulary asking us to consider further allegations in relation to deaths and non-fatal collapses of babies at the Countess of Chester Hospital and Liverpool Women's Hospital.
'We will now carefully consider the evidence to determine whether any further criminal charges should be brought.
Letby was a nurse at Liverpool Women's Hospital (Alamy/PA)
'As always, we will make that decision independently, based on the evidence and in line with our legal test.'
Advertisement
A spokeswoman for Cheshire Police said: 'We can confirm that Cheshire Constabulary has submitted a full file of evidence to the CPS for charging advice regarding the ongoing investigation into deaths and non-fatal collapses of babies at the neo-natal units of both the Countess of Chester Hospital and the Liverpool Women's Hospital as part of Operation Hummingbird.'
The Daily Mail has reported consideration of any new charges will involve the British government's most senior lawyers, including Stephen Parkinson, the director of public prosecutions, and Attorney General Lord Hermer KC.
News of potential fresh charges emerged hours after police confirmed three people who were part of the senior leadership team at the hospital where Letby worked have been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter.
Cheshire Constabulary said the suspects, who occupied senior positions at the Countess of Chester Hospital (CoCH) between 2015 and 2016, were arrested on Monday.
Advertisement
All three have since been bailed pending further inquiries, the force added.
Lady Justice Thirlwall will deliver her findings in early 2026 (Peter Byrne/PA)
Letby (35), from Hereford in England, is serving 15 whole-life orders after she was convicted of murdering seven infants and attempting to murder seven others, with two attempts on one of her victims, between June 2015 and June 2016.
Police said corporate manslaughter and gross negligence manslaughter probes are continuing.
Following the arrests, senior investigating officer Detective Superintendent Paul Hughes said: 'In October 2023 following the lengthy trial and subsequent conviction of Lucy Letby, Cheshire Constabulary launched an investigation into corporate manslaughter at the Countess of Chester Hospital (CoCH).
Advertisement
'This focuses on senior leadership and their decision-making to determine whether any criminality has taken place concerning the response to the increased levels of fatalities.
'In March 2025 the scope of the investigation widened to also include gross negligence manslaughter.
'This is a separate offence to corporate manslaughter and focuses on the grossly negligent action or inaction of individuals.
'It is important to note that this does not impact on the convictions of Lucy Letby for multiple offences of murder and attempted murder.'
Advertisement
A spokeswoman for CoCH reiterated it 'would not be appropriate' for the hospital to comment 'due to the Thirlwall Inquiry and the ongoing police investigations'.
The Countess of Chester Hospital in Chester, where Letby worked (PA)
Letby's barrister Mark McDonald said the police's latest announcement has come at a 'very sensitive time' and that a proper and full public inquiry into failings by the hospital is needed.
He said: 'Yet another press release from the police at a very sensitive time when the CCRC (Criminal Cases Review Commission) are looking at the case of Lucy Letby.
'Despite this, the concerns many have raised will not go away, and we will continue to publicly discuss them.
'The reality is that 26 internationally renowned experts have looked at this case and the lead expert has concluded that no crime was committed, no babies were murdered.
'What is needed is a proper and full public inquiry into the failings of the neonatal and paediatric medical care unit at the Countess of Chester Hospital.'
World
Lucy Letby 'innocent' and regularly 'cried in my a...
Read More
Police are continuing a review of deaths and non-fatal collapses of babies at the neonatal units of the Countess of Chester and Liverpool Women's Hospital during Letby's time as a nurse from 2012 to 2016.
Letby, who has always maintained her innocence, lost two bids last year to challenge her convictions at the UK court of appeal for the seven murders and seven attempted murders, and in October for the attempted murder of a baby girl, which she was convicted of by a different jury at a retrial.
Lady Justice Thirlwall is due to publish the findings from her public inquiry in early 2026.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
12 minutes ago
- BBC News
Turbary Heath Bournemouth wildfire treated as arson
A wildfire which took hold of an area of nature reserve is being treated as and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DFRS) tackled the fire affecting 150m by 50m (500ft by 150ft) of Turbary Heath in Bournemouth on Tuesday said it was believed to have been started deliberately and police are crews also dealt with a separate wildfire at Corfe Castle which is believed to have been started accidentally. Crews were called to Turbary Heath shortly before 19:30 BST and used hose reel jets and beaters to extinguish the fire, with firefighters remaining on scene to dampen heath is the largest area of heathland in north Bournemouth and a Site of Special Scientific Interest and is home to rare species including Dartford warblers, long-winged conehead crickets and all six species of British reptile. DWFRS said crews had earlier been called to "a large area of gorse bushes, trees and undergrowth alight" close to rail tracks at Corfe Castle shortly before 16: said the fire was brought under control and crews remained on scene damping down. You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X, or Instagram.
Daily Mail
13 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Married company director who stuck his head through ex's cat flap in stalking campaign after she ended five-month affair is banned from contacting her
A married company director who stuck his head through his ex-lover's cat flap in a stalking campaign after she broke off their five-month affair has been handed a restraining order and is banned from contacting her. Johnathan Christmas, 35, had a five-month affair with work colleague Charlotte Crute after they met at a summer party. The relationship ended when Christmas' wife Helen found out, and Ms Crute decided she wasn't interested. Although Ms Crute made it clear she did not want to pursue the relationship further and blocked him on social media, Christmas then stalked and harassed her for four months. The father-of-two even turned up at her home in Poole, Dorset and terrified her by sticking his head through the catflap while she was on the phone before banging on the door for 30 minutes, leaving her fearing for her life. He also visited her at her workplace and sent her unwanted flowers, cards and messages saying 'I still love you'. Ms Crute was left feeling unsafe both at home and work and started carrying a personal alarm for 'peace of mind'. Christmas even contacted her boss, told him about the affair and said Ms Crute's conduct should be investigated. She was later called to a meeting with her boss and HR manager after complaints about her conduct were made through the company website, but Christmas denied this was him. Ms Crute eventually called the police and Christmas admitted stalking her and was sentenced at Poole Magistrates' Court. The court heard the affair started in August 2023. The pair both worked for technology company Image Holders and met at a summer party, becoming intimate four or five weeks later. His wife Helen Christmas, an NHS dietician, found out in December. Jason Spelman, prosecuting, said: 'There was then some sort of stand off. There was a suggestion he had to make a choice between the victim and his wife. 'The victim decided she was not interested and sent a message on December 18 to break off the relationship.' Christmas was made redundant from the company in January 2024. Ms Crute received birthday cards from both the defendant and his wife and decided she had 'had enough'. In February she sent him an email making it clear she wanted nothing more to do with him and blocked him on social media. The court heard the stalking started with him turning up at her work unannounced at 7.30am on March 7, before anyone else was there. He said he was returning some work property and aftershave she had given him but seeing her 'reignited feelings'. Christmas then emailed her asking when she would be home so they could 'talk things through'. She said that scared her and she stayed at the gym late that evening to avoid going home. He contacted her again, then showed up at her home in Poole on April 12 and banged on the door for 30 minutes, stuck his head through the cat flap then 'loitered around the property trying to disguise his identity'. She texted him warning him she would call the police then found a bunch of flowers and a note saying 'I still love you'. In a victim statement, Ms Crute said: 'Initially I thought it was pestering and annoying but when he showed up at work I wasn't expecting it, it was unnerving. 'Soon after he emailed me asking when I would be home. I was scared, I stayed at the gym longer than I would have on that evening.' She said by April she started to feel he would never leave her alone and let her get on with her life, which left her 'on edge'. Describing the banging and cat flap incident, she said: 'I was completely terrified, I was on the phone to my sister and worried he could get in if he found the spare key. 'I genuinely feared for my life. The impact was massive, I didn't feel safe at home or work. I regret everything I did with him.' Selina Goddard, defending, said Christmas made a 'silly mistake' but has moved on and wishes Ms Crute the best. She said: 'He regrets the whole deal. The affair brought a great deal of pain and shame to his family. 'He got immersed in something that he doesn't see his way out of. At the time he didn't see it as stalking, he was just making overtures to her. 'He said: "I thought I was doing the right thing in trying to be persistent and show my emotions for her". 'He accepted the relationship was over in January, but seeing her again did reignite feelings and he wanted some closure. That was selfish and he should have listened to her.' She said previous coverage of the court case had 'caused difficulties' for his wife. She said: 'The work to get the marriage back on track has been undone. They're trying to work things out but it's placed a terrific amount of pressure on them and he doesn't know if they will be able to get past it. 'He has expressed genuine remorse, he has been doing counselling, with his wife and a lot of work on himself. He has brought this on himself, he accepts that. 'Even his wife's friends offered to give character references. No one condones what he did but they say for the ten or so years they have known him, this behaviour was out of character.' Christmas, from Bournemouth, who now runs his own business, Ascend Marketing, was handed an 18-month community order with 30 rehabilitation days and 100 hours of unpaid work. The magistrates also made an 18-month restraining order preventing him from contacting Ms Crute and from going to her street or work.
BBC News
13 minutes ago
- BBC News
Worcestershire officers bitten by man as they made arrest
Three police officers needed hospital treatment after they were bitten by a attack happened after the officers were called to a disturbance in Worcestershire on Saturday, West Mercia Police said. They were injured as a 37-year-old man attempted to resist arrest before he was detained on suspicion of assaulting emergency workers, burglary and criminal damage. The bites broke the skin and left clear bite marks on the officers, a police spokesperson said. Ch Supt Edd Williams said: "Police officers expect to face challenging situations during their duties, but violence against them is despicable. "It is an affront on public safety and will not be tolerated."Assaults on emergency workers are criminal acts and will be dealt with accordingly." Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
