Latest news with #CoCH
AsiaOne
02-07-2025
- AsiaOne
UK prosecutors consider charges at hospitals where baby killer Lucy Letby worked, World News
LONDON — British prosecutors said on Wednesday (June 25) they were considering whether to bring further charges in relation to allegations around deaths at hospitals where Lucy Letby, the nurse already convicted of murdering seven babies, had worked. Letby, 35, is already serving life in jail and will never be released after being found guilty of attacking the newborns and attempting to kill eight more at the neonatal unit of the Countess of Chester Hospital (CoCH) in northern England between June 2015 and June 2016. Following her convictions, police said they were examining whether she had committed at further crimes while at the CoCH or at the Liverpool Women's Hospital where she previously worked. Detectives are also investigating individual negligence and corporate manslaughter charges against the Chester hospital and senior managers. On Tuesday, they said they had arrested three senior members of the leadership team. The Crown Prosecution Service said it had received files of evidence from police relating to further possible offences at the CoCH and at the Liverpool hospital "We will now carefully consider the evidence to determine whether any further criminal charges should be brought," a CPS spokesperson said in a statement. It declined to name any suspects and said a referral by police did not mean charges would follow. [[nid:692167]]
Straits Times
02-07-2025
- Straits Times
UK prosecutors consider charges at hospitals where baby killer Lucy Letby worked
FILE PHOTO: Members of the media work near a large screen showing a picture of convicted hospital nurse Lucy Letby, ahead of her sentencing, outside the Manchester Crown Court, in Manchester, Britain, August 21, 2023. REUTERS/Phil Noble/File Photo LONDON - British prosecutors said on Wednesday they were considering whether to bring further charges in relation to allegations around deaths at hospitals where Lucy Letby, the nurse already convicted of murdering seven babies, had worked. Letby, 35, is already serving life in jail and will never be released after being found guilty of attacking the newborns and attempting to kill eight more at the neonatal unit of the Countess of Chester Hospital (CoCH) in northern England between June 2015 and June 2016. Following her convictions, police said they were examining whether she had committed at further crimes while at the CoCH or at the Liverpool Women's Hospital where she previously worked. Detectives are also investigating individual negligence and corporate manslaughter charges against the Chester hospital and senior managers. On Tuesday, they said they had arrested three senior members of the leadership team. The Crown Prosecution Service said it had received files of evidence from police relating to further possible offences at the CoCH and at the Liverpool hospital "We will now carefully consider the evidence to determine whether any further criminal charges should be brought," a CPS spokesperson said in a statement. It declined to name any suspects and said a referral by police did not mean charges would follow. REUTERS
Rhyl Journal
02-07-2025
- Rhyl Journal
Gross negligence manslaughter arrests following Lucy Letby baby deaths
Cheshire Constabulary said the suspects, who occupied senior positions at the Countess of Chester Hospital (CoCH) between 2015 and 2016, were arrested on Monday. All three have since been bailed pending further inquiries, the force added. Letby, 35, from Hereford, 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. '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. 'As part of our ongoing inquiries, on Monday June 30 three individuals who were part of the senior leadership team at the CoCH in 2015-2016 were arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter.' 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'. 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.' 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 lost two bids last year to challenge her convictions at the 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.
South Wales Guardian
01-07-2025
- South Wales Guardian
Gross negligence manslaughter arrests following Lucy Letby baby deaths
Cheshire Constabulary said the suspects, who occupied senior positions at the Countess of Chester Hospital (CoCH) between 2015 and 2016, were arrested on Monday. All three have since been bailed pending further inquiries, the force added. Letby, 35, from Hereford, 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. '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. 'As part of our ongoing inquiries, on Monday June 30 three individuals who were part of the senior leadership team at the CoCH in 2015-2016 were arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter.' 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'. 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.' 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 lost two bids last year to challenge her convictions at the 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.
Glasgow Times
01-07-2025
- Glasgow Times
Gross negligence manslaughter arrests following Lucy Letby baby deaths
Cheshire Constabulary said the suspects, who occupied senior positions at the Countess of Chester Hospital (CoCH) between 2015 and 2016, were arrested on Monday. All three have since been bailed pending further inquiries, the force added. Letby, 35, from Hereford, 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. Lucy Letby is serving 15 whole-life orders (Cheshire Constabulary/PA) 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. '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. 'As part of our ongoing inquiries, on Monday June 30 three individuals who were part of the senior leadership team at the CoCH in 2015-2016 were arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter.' 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'. 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.' 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 lost two bids last year to challenge her convictions at the 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.
