Nurse's 15 Life Terms for Baby Murders

Inquests into the deaths of five babies, identified as C, E, I, O, and P, are scheduled to commence today at Cheshire Coroner's Court. These infants died at the Countess of Chester Hospital in 2015 and 2016, during the period when the former nurse, Lucy Letby, was employed in the neonatal unit. The senior coroner for Cheshire is expected to open and then suspend these hearings until later this year.

These proceedings are provisionally set for September, contingent on the publication of the Thirlwall Inquiry report, which is examining the circumstances surrounding Letby's crimes. Letby, aged 36, was previously sentenced to 15 whole-life terms for the murders of seven babies and the attempted murders of seven others between June 2015 and June 2016. Previous inquests into other infant deaths had inconclusive or suspended findings.

Separately, the Crown Prosecution Service announced last month that no criminal charges would be filed for additional allegations concerning infant deaths and collapses. This decision followed a review of evidence submitted by Cheshire Constabulary relating to two deceased infants and seven survivors. Prosecutors stated that the information did not meet the required evidential threshold for prosecution. Letby has consistently maintained her innocence and has unsuccessfully challenged her convictions in the Court of Appeal.