New evidence indicates that more babies may have been harmed while under the care of convicted serial killer Lucy Letby, with one baby allegedly poisoned with insulin. Letby was convicted of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven others during her time at the Countess of Chester Hospital’s neonatal unit. She received 14 whole life orders in August 2023, ensuring she will never be eligible for parole.
Recent scrutiny of the case has led to concerns raised by leading doctors and scientists regarding the evidence presented during Letby’s trial. BBC One’s Panorama revealed that during Letby’s time at Liverpool Women’s Hospital in 2012 and 2015, nearly a third of her 33 shifts witnessed potentially life-threatening incidents.
The programme highlighted that in 40% of Letby’s shifts, children’s breathing tubes had become dislodged, a rate significantly higher than the average. Evidence suggests that a third baby under Letby’s care may have been poisoned with insulin, as indicated by high levels of insulin and low levels of C-peptide in the baby’s system.
While Letby’s first trial focused on two cases of insulin poisoning, experts have raised doubts about the validity of the evidence presented. Consultants believe that the insulin detected in the baby’s system may not have been naturally produced, casting uncertainty on Letby’s guilt.
Former cabinet minister David Davis has called for a retrial, citing a 90% chance of Letby’s innocence. He pointed to potential factors such as poor hospital management or the presence of a superbug as more likely explanations for the harm inflicted on the babies. Davis emphasized the need for a thorough and fair retrial to ensure justice is served in this complex case.