Victim Impact Statements and Sentencing
Live updates from court as former Countess of Chester Hospital neonatal nurse Lucy Letby is sentenced for the murder of six babies and the attempted…
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7:46am
While some may analyse the profile of Lucy Letby, speculating what possessed her to become a serial killer on a neonatal unit, the focus of today should be on the victims' families.
For ones where guilty verdicts were obtained,
their reaction was that of 'heartbroken, devastated, angry...numb', while for ones where no verdicts were reached, their search for answers continues.
8:32am
In the hours following the verdicts, the Government announced its intention to set up an independent inquiry into the Lucy Letby case.
One of the Countess of Chester Hospital whistleblowers, consultant Ravi Jayaram, said in a statement on Facebook he is is calling for those who stalled and "potentially facilitated a mass-murderer" to be held to account:
Lucy Letby: Countess whistleblower calls on bosses to apologise
Lawyers representing two of the families say the terms of the inquiry so far are "inadequate":
Call for full public inquiry to investigate Lucy Letby murders
While one of the main medical experts called upon in the Lucy Letby trial, Dr Dewi Evans, has said hospital executives who failed to act on concerns about the serial killer nurse should be investigated for corporate manslaughter:
Lucy Letby: Police urged to probe hospital bosses for corporate manslaughter
10:02am
The trial judge has entered the courtroom.
10:03am
The judge reminds the court that reporting restrictions remain in place for all the victims and their families, and reporting their names is punishable by imprisonment.
10:03am
Lucy Letby has refused to turn up to court, Nicholas Johnson KC, prosecuting, says.
10:06am
Mr Johnson tells the court that a person convicted of murder receives a life sentence.
He says this is a "very clear case", that the offences are "so serious", that the 'early release provision' should not apply.
10:09am
He says the appropriate starting point in such a case as the defendant's would be a "whole-life order".
He says all the offences had a substantial degree of pre-planning, and all fit the description of 'sadistic', and all seven murder charges were that of a child.
The maximum sentence for attempted murder is also life, he tells the court.
10:09am
The judge says even on their own, the attempted murders would be "exceptionally serious".
10:11am
Benjamin Myers KC, for Letby's defence. He says the sympathies lie with the victims and their families.
He says Letby has maintained her innocence throughout the proceedings, and was found guilty, and the court must proceed on that basis.
The sentence is "fixed by law" and there is "nothing to add" in mitigation that is capable of reducing the sentence that is passed.
10:11am
Prosecutor Philip Astbury rises to read out victim statements. The first is the mother of Child A and Child B.
10:15am
She says 2015 was "going to be the best year of our lives" and "everything was perfect", with the babies doing well in the neonatal unit. Child A was "really strong"
She said they would never have imagined there would be "such despicable actions" by a nurse.
"We never got to hold him, as you took him away"
"What should have been the happiest time of our lives became our worst nightmare".
The parents were "riddled with fear" for Child B after Child A was murdered.
"You have been successful in your quest to cause maximum pain".
The mother said "we are forever grateful that you were unable to take [Child B] away that night".
"You tried to take everything away from us. You thought you could 'play god'."
"We hope you live a very long life and spend every single day suffering for what you have done.
"My family will never think of you again. From this day forward, you are nothing."
10:20am
The mother of Child C has come forward to read out a statement in court.
"I have thought a lot...about whether to let Lucy Letby know of the extent of our pain".
She said there was an immediate bond of love between her and her child, like nothing she had felt before, "my tiny, feisty boy, my son".
The collapse was "so unbelievable", and the parents only held Child C as he lay dying.
"Knowing now that his murderer was watching us was like something out of a horror story".
"I blamed myself entirely for his death, and I still feel guilt I couldn't protect him."
"Eight years have passed, our grief is just as heavy, but we have worked hard to build a life around it."
The mother relays the milestones she has missed with her son growing up.
"All of the things we have missed, we will never know.
"In the darkness of the days, weeks and months, I would open his memory box - I would sniff his lock, I would touch his handprint."
"On July 3 when Letby was arrested, these few memories were tainted. She took those memories [for us]."
"I feel able to wear his hand and footprints for the first time in five years.
"I will not allow [her] to even take that.
"I am horrified someone so evil exists."
"There is no sentence that will ever compare to the excruciating agony you have caused...you killed them on purpose, you are evil, you did this."
10:31am
The mother of Child D has come forward to read out a statement in court, as families wipe away tears in the public gallery.
"Lucy Letby had a wicked sense of entitlement - you have failed our plans we had for [Child D]. You are clearly disconnected of god.
"After today I hope to be free of this limbo state.
"My heart broke into a million pieces" when Child D passed.
"Those lives were not yours to take"
"I cannot forgive you".
The mother was offered the chance for Child D to be an organ donor. A baby needed a heart. A post-mortem was required as the death was unexplained, and Child D could not be a heart donor. She said this broke her heart.
"Our family cleared all traces of baby stuff from the house."
Child D's bedroom door remained closed for many months. Her ashes were buried on her due date.
She said she felt "painfully empty" and wanted to be "her mum in every way", and felt guilty, wondering if she had "failed her daughter".
The mother said she got clued up on medical terms and requested information from the hospital after Child D died. "Things just didn't add up".
The mother said Letby's arrest was "something else to overcome".
She said she became "obsessed" and "thank God police started their investigation".
She says she sometimes struggles with grief and depression, and has lost her confidence as a friend, a mother and a wife.
She says she feels she has lost so many years of her life, and "many struggles to overcome", crying every day, having to take time off work. She says she was "mentally exhausted" and "very lonely".
She says she found comfort and the courage from her prayers to carry on. Her husband found the trial "harder" than her.
The mother found giving evidence in court "overwhelming" and "invasive".
She says she found "some comfort" in getting answers and meeting other families.
"We wanted justice for [Child D] and that day has come."
10:41am
The mother of Child E and Child F has come forward to read a statement.
She said "our dreams had come true" when the twin boys were born.
"Never were I to imagine that [Child E] were to die."
"Losing [Child E] was the most difficult thing I had ever experienced".
When Child F collapsed, she thought 'no please, not again', and "it was a living nightmare".
On July 3, 2018, the mother said her world was shattered as the news came through of Letby's arrest.
"We felt cheated, deceived and utterly heartbroken once more".
She said she had felt guilty, having trusted Letby and followed instructions "diligently".
"We were robbed of precious time with our baby boy - having to grieve in the presence of Letby", who had dressed him.
"Our babies were extraordinary miracles - I was walking on a cloud of pure happiness. Letby deliberately caused significant harm."
"I still struggle to understand why it happened to us."
Letby's behaviour was "a sadistic act".
Child F has been left with learning difficulties, which the mother believes was as a result of Letby's attempted murder.
"It breaks my heart to know that things could have been so different for him."
She says during Letby's time under police investigation, until she was charged in November 2020, the family of Child E and Child F were in limbo.
She said the moment of Child E's crying was "etched in her mind", and found it insulting when she was challenged on that account when giving evidence in court.
"Lucy abused the power she held. She claimed we had a good relationship...it should have been strictly professional. I was vulnerable, doing my best to get through each day. The lies she has told fill me with anger."
"Nothing can changed what has happened to us. We are living with Letby's crimes."
"Lucy is right, she attacked them on purpose because she was not good enough."
She says her babies were 'pawns' in Letby's "twisted game".
"The trial felt like a platform for Lucy to relive her crimes.
"She has repeatedly disrespected my boys' memory."
The 'best thing' Letby could have done was take the stand, when "her mask slipped", the mother adds.
Letby's refusal to attend sentencing is the "final act of wickedness from a coward."
10:53am
A statement is read out by Mr Astbury from the father of Child G.
He said after a long wait at the hospital, a 12-week scan was positive.
He recalls Child G had given birth in the bathroom to a baby girl, who was "so premature" but was "doing well".
"For me, what has happened has damaged my faith".
"He [God] saved her, but the devil found her."
He said Child G should have been at the Countess for just a few weeks. After her transfer, following an attempted murder, he could tell Child G was different.
When she was brought home, Child G was still "so small", weighing just 5lb. She began to miss developmental goals, and the extent of her brain damage became clearer two years later at a scan, and she has been hospitalised numerous times since.
He recalls other occasions on which Child G was poorly and had to be ventilated. He says the mother finds it difficult to trust people in hospitals, after what had happened.
He says when Child G has a bad night, the mother has a day bed to be with her. Prior to this purchase of the day bed, the mother was sleeping on the floor.
He says the concern is what happens if Child G outlives the parents, and who would care for her.
He says their home has been adapted to care for Child G's needs, and the council asked for £10,000 to pay for the adaptation.
He says when they go on holiday, "meticulous planning" is required. A fridge is required in the room, for Child G's medication.
The family are "limited" in doing normal things.
He says Child G will never have a first boyfriend, a kiss, or get married. She will always be in her chair, dependent on others. He adds Child G is stubborn and remains strong.
On the police investigation, he says he wanted it over so the family could get on with their lives.
Child G is in the process of being lined up for spinal surgery.
11:05am
A statement from the mother of Child I is read out by Mr Astbury.
The mother recalls the first collapse of Child I made her "paranoid", and she was told the cause of it was an infection. She said she took extra precautions as nothing was worth the risk of this happening again.
She said the parents had a rota to be with Child I, which was "exhausting". At the second collapse, she had 'begun to relax' as Child I had been improving. The mother said within half an hour of visiting a friend, she got a call to go to the hospital asap.
When she arrived, she was on her own, it was "so scary" having to watch "our tiny girl fighting so hard".
"We kept thinking, why is this still happening?"
The collapses were "getting worse".
Before the third collapse, Child I was 'like a full-term baby' - a "very content little girl", and talked about bringing her home.
At the third collapse, the family were in 'fight or flight' mode. Child I had been unresponsive.
Child I 'suddenly picked up' after being transferred to Arrowe Park. She looked swollen, in a lot of pain, and her eyes looked very sad. She was transferred back to the Countess of Chester Hospital.
The family were told Child I could still be home for Christmas.
The mother said she was informed about another collapse for Child I. She felt uneasy, and went to the hospital. When she arrived, this was 'different', as Child I was not fighting.
"I couldn't look at the monitors as I knew she was worse than the previous times."
"I can't even begin to explain the pain when we lost her - our gorgeous little princess."
The mother said she would wear sunglasses to hide her tears from others in the months afterwards, and felt like she was "sinking into a black hole".
The father "really struggled" in the aftermath, and the impact was felt across other members of the family.
When the police contacted about the investigation, the mother said she thought it was about possible hospital mistakes. Upon being asked to relive the events, this had a big impact on her, and she started therapy for PTSD. She remembered her "whole body shaking" on the news Letby was arrested.
"We dug for years, trying to get answers for what happened...it's impacted so much of our family. To be told what happened to our daughter...I don't think I'll ever get over the fact our daughter was tortured until she had no fight left."
"[Child I] should be eight this year."
11:09am
Mr Astbury reads out a statement from the mother of Child L and Child M.
She said she was second on the scene when Child M collapsed, and that moment will live with her. She said she has suffered five years of restless nights.
The father's statement is read out. He says the events have taken their toll.
He said he was first on the scene when Child M collapsed, and that scene is "forever etched" on his mind. He said therapy will never help deal with what happened.
He said the trauma of the events since caused him to have a seizure, which was very distressing for family members who saw it.
"This whole case has taken its toll on me as a person". He says his patience has worn thin as time has gone on, and he is no longer a "happy-go-lucky" person.
He says there was one day during the trial where he was in Lucy Letby's view in the public gallery, and she kept looking over, which made him feel uneasy, and he had to move in the afternoon.
11:18am
A statement is read out for the mother of Child N.
She said Child N was everything she had ever wanted in life. When the baby boy was born, she hadn't planned for him to be taken to the neonatal unit, and she was so upset.
Preparations were taking place for Child N to be coming home. When they received the news Child N was poorly, they couldn't believe it, and were presented with an "utter catastrophic scene" when they arrived, "not knowing if he was going to live or die".
"The pain was immeasurable - we both live with this every day".
Child N was transferred to Alder Hey Children's Hospital. The longer trip made them "exhausted" both physically and mentally.
She said she knew Child N had been deliberately harmed, and based it on a mother's instinct, and told her partner so, at the time.
When Child N eventually came home, she said she only wanted her or her partner to take Child N for medical appointments. She says she suspects Child N had lasting effects from the attempted murder.
She says there has only been one occasion when the parents have been out socially, since, as they have difficulty trusting anyone else to look after Child N.
A baby monitor was in place until Child N was four or five years old, and Child N still has a camera, as she says they are 'overly protective' of their boy.
She says anything else in life didn't matter, only the welfare of their son. "We do everything possible to keep in safe. If that means wrapping him up in cotton wool, then that is what we'll do."
She says there was a 'mixture of emotions' when police were investigating. They were 'happy and relieved' they were 'finally being listened to'.
He said the worst part of going to court was being away from Child N. Having to listen what she did "weighed heavily" on her mind.
"We don't want her to know the damage she has left - we didn't want her to get any further satisfaction."
11:19am
The final statements are from the parents of Child O and Child P. These have been pre-recorded and are played to the court.
The mother reads out the statement first.
11:28am
The mother said in June 2016, she was still recovering from the birth of her triplet boys, and it was "difficult to put into words" when Child O passed away - it was "traumatic".
She said she was in "total shock and disbelief".
The following day, she felt more reassured when she saw the other two triplets. Child P later collapsed and the mother said she felt she blamed herself, thinking she had passed on some kind of illness.
She said she had to remain strong for the surviving triplet's sake, but had a "horrible feeling" he was next.
She says there was additional guilt that the extended family were unable to have any time of Child O.
She said it was a traumatic experience having to think of what should be written on Child O and Child P's gravestone. She said returning to the hospital, when another family member was admitted, gave her flashbacks.
The mother said she had a further child in 2017, and the parents had 'point-blank refused' to have the baby cared for at the Countess.
She says the time around June is always a difficult time to face.
She said she was initially asked to be a witness, and that meant she had to miss most of the trial, only for her not to be required as a witness at the last minute.
She says the court environment was "extremely harrowing", and she placed herself behind a monitor so she was not in the line of sight of Letby. Her first appearance was in March 2023.
She says having to come to terms with the police investigation has been "unbearable" and hates the fact Letby was the last person to hold Child O.
11:47am
The pre-recorded interview is now played from the father of Child O and Child P.
He recalls being "shocked" at the news of triplets.
He says the parents were "both overwhelmed", but the pregnancy progressed well.
The birth was traumatic, but the team were happy with the triplets' health, as they were admitted to the neonatal unit.
The parents were "so excited" to see the boys doing well when they went to see them.
On June 23, "things started to go downhill", when he was informed Child O had had a collapse. He said he was thinking the worst, and informed the mother.
He said the moments of seeing Child O die were horrific and something he would never forget. "It felt like a stab in the heart".
"No-one at the hospital had any explanation"
After Child O died, the parents were "extremely concerned". "It was hard to disguise our emotions".
"No-one really knew what to say, it was an awkward silence."
The following morning, the parents were informed Child P was poorly. They were told 'it's happening again'. They "didn't know what was happening", and could see Child P looked worse than before.
"I thought we were going down the same roads we did with [Child O]."
Child P sadly passed away later that afternoon.
"We were pleading with the doctor [at the transport team] to take [the surviving triplet] away with them".
He said it was a terrible situation to be in.
He said they had received no guidance from the Countess in terms of support following the deaths of Child O and Child P.
The father details further problems in the parents' lives took their toll on their mental health.
He said he felt guilty for showing happiness in the surviving triplet's life, that he could not take any joy from it.
He said in the aftermath, he "hit rock bottom". As his life was "slowly improving", news came through of Letby's arrest. He was gobsmacked but relieved there appeared to be some sort of explanation. He said he had believed there was "some form of clinical negligence", but never believed the boys had been "murdered on purpose".
He says he struggles to socialise with friends or family, and finds it difficult to answer the question on how many children he has.
He adds coming to terms with the police investigation has been difficult.
He said he had initially been called as a witness, and seeing Letby for the first time was "extremely difficult".
He said the actions of Letby's text messages and Facebook searches were "in poor taste", and found it difficult to see the mother being "so upset".
"Lucy Letby has destroyed our lives."
He adds the pressure of the trial has been difficult to describe.
11:48am
The judge says "for a number of reasons" he will have a break for the court. He will proceed to sentencing remarks at 12.30pm.
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