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The mother of a baby murdered by Lucy Letby said her experience in hospital was “like something out of a horror story” as the parents of newborns attacked by the killer nurse revealed their heartbreak in court.

The mother of premature baby Child D said the funeral was held the day before her due date, and the newborn’s organs could not be donated because a post-mortem had to be performed.

Another woman whose two children E and F were attacked by Letby said they were born after painful rounds of IVF. “No children in the world were more wanted than them,” she added.

Letby is due to be sentenced later after she was found guilty of murdering seven babies and attempting to kill six others at the Countess of Chester Hospital between June 2015 and June 2016.

‘Sadistic’ Letby refusing to leave cells – follow live sentencing updates

‘His murderer was watching us’

The mother of a baby referred to as Child C to protect his identity blamed herself for his death, saying she thought to herself: “What if I had not gone to bed that night? Maybe he would still be here.”

She told the court: “The trauma of that night will live with us all until the day we die. Knowing now his murderer was watching us… was like something out of a horror story.”

The mother of Child C also said she would open her son’s memory box in the days after his death, wearing his footprints around her neck to feel close to him.

But she added that after Letby’s arrest the mementoes felt “tainted”.

However she is now able to wear the mementoes again for the first time in five years, telling the court: “I know they represent the love I have for my son and I will not allow evil to take that. They represent justice and the truth.”

Why we’re not identifying the children and their families

Though their real names have been used in court, all children involved in the trial against Lucy Letby have been granted anonymity through a strict reporting restriction.

The order, imposed by a judge, also bans any reporting of the names of the babies’ parents, to protect their identities.

It means the babies have been referred to as children A to Q throughout.

‘We hope you spend every day suffering’

A twin boy and girl, Child A and Child B respectively, were targeted by Letby in 2015.

The boy died while his sister survived.

The mother of the babies told the court: “What should have been the happiest time of our lives became our worst nightmare.”

She added that after her son died the family made sure there was always somebody by their daughter’s side.

“We are so thankful that we had that fear for Child B as it saved her life,” the mother added.

In a message directed at Letby, who has refused to attend her sentencing, the mother continued: “Little did we know you were waiting for us to leave so you could attack the one thing that gave us reason to live.”

She says there will always be a “gaping hole” where their son should be.

“We hope you live a very long life and spend every single day suffering for what you have done.”

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Moment of Lucy Letby’s arrest

Mother’s heart ‘shattered into a thousand pieces’

The mother of premature baby girl Child D was emotional as she said Letby’s “wicked sense of entitlement and abuse of her role as a trusted nurse is truly a scandal”.

“Lucy Letby, you failed God and the plans we had for (Child D).”

She added that her heart “shattered into a thousand pieces” when her daughter died.

She says she questioned if she had done something wrong, missed something or “failed her daughter”.

The mother then described how she has struggled with “grief and depression” during her fight for justice.

“My marriage is also scarred by all the hurdles we went through. At first, we were each other’s rocks… it has been hard to keep strong together.”

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How the police caught Lucy Letby

‘Significant harm and cruelty’

The mother of boys children E and F had the twins after several rounds of IVF.

Child E died while his brother survived.

“Lucy was aware of our journey and deliberately caused significant harm and cruelty to our boys,” she said with emotion thick in her voice.

“No children in the world were more wanted than them.”

Their son now has complex learning difficulties, which they believe is a direct result of his being poisoned with insulin.

“Nothing can change what has happened to us, we are living with a life sentence because of Lucy’s crimes.”

The mother also called Letby’s decision not to appear in court for her sentencing “one final act of wickedness from a coward”.

“Even in these final days of the trial she has tried to control things, the disrespect she has shown the families and the court show what type of person she is.”

She finished by calling Letby “nothing” before returning to sit with the other families.

Lucy Letby

Mother of triplets feels unable to speak in court

Children O and P were two triplet babies murdered by Letby.

The baby killer even took a photograph of them in a cot after their deaths.

Their mother provided a pre-recorded message to the court because she felt unable to enter the witness box.

She said Letby was unconsolable after the deaths of the babies.

“I only have one photograph of me holding all three boys together,” she says.

“It was Lucy Letby that dressed Child P after his passing and took his footprints which were stored in a memory box.”

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Letby ‘meets whole-life sentence threshold’

Baby left disabled after attack

Letby attempted to murder six babies during her time on the hospital’s neonatal unit – targeting Child G twice.

The baby girl was the result of IVF, which had cost the family great expense abroad.

Child G was left disabled after the attacks.

Her mother now finds it difficult to trust people who work in hospitals, but the parents need nurses to visit them every week to help support them and their child.

Child G’s father told the court: “Everything feels like a constant battle just to have the essential things that Child G needs during her daily life.”

He says his daughter will “never have a sleepover with a best friend, or go to high school and graduate. She will never have a first kiss, a boyfriend, or get married”.

“She will always be in her chair,” he added.

Mother now wants baby to home-schooled

The mother of Child N, who Letby tried to murder in June 2016, says she knew her son had been “deliberately harmed”.

“I just kept questioning why our healthy baby boy was fine one minute and then bleeding from the mouth and needing CPR the next.”

She added that she wants her child to be home-schooled because her belief in people in positions of trust has been broken.

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Prince Andrew: Government faces growing calls to formally strip Duke of York title

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Prince Andrew: Government faces growing calls to formally strip Duke of York title

The government is facing increasing pressure to formally strip Prince Andrew of his dukedom.

Andrew voluntarily gave up his titles last week but will technically continue to hold them unless they are removed by an Act of Parliament.

Rachael Maskell – the independent MP for York Central – told Sky News that 88% of her constituents don’t want the duke “to carry a title bearing the name of our city”.

On the Politics Hub With Darren McCaffrey, she confirmed she is advocating for a change in the law, and argued mechanisms should be in place to remove titles.

“My legislation would be able to be applied to anybody in the future as well, so we wouldn’t have this situation ever having to occur again,” Ms Maskell added.

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‘We don’t want him bearing our city’s name’

Meanwhile, the Scottish National Party (SNP) has also warned new legislation must be put forward without “any excuses and any further delay”.

The SNP’s Westminster leader Stephen Flynn said: “The public knows this is the right thing to do – and even more importantly, the victims at the heart of the Epstein scandal know that it’s the right thing to do.

“Those implicated in the Epstein scandal have been able to escape justice because they have hidden behind their power and privilege.”

A proposed bill has been put forward that would also strip Lord Mandelson of his peerage – weeks after he was sacked as the UK’s ambassador to the US because of his own ties to the paedophile financier.

Yesterday, the prime minister’s official spokesman said the question of legislation was “a matter for the palace in the first instance” – and Downing Street “supports the judgment of the King” regarding what should happen to Prince Andrew’s titles.

Read more:
How Prince Andrew allegations unfolded

What title loss means for Andrew’s family

Prince Andrew during the Garter Ceremony Procession in Windsor. Pic: PA
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Prince Andrew during the Garter Ceremony Procession in Windsor. Pic: PA

Accuser’s memoir published today

Pressure has been growing on Andrew amid continued reports of his relationship with Epstein, with the royal “vigorously denying” the allegations against him.

The posthumous memoir of Virginia Giuffre – who had accused him of sexual assault and sued him in August 2021 – is being released today. She took her own life in April.

Amy Wallace, who co-authored Nobody’s Girl, said Ms Giuffre would have regarded Andrew relinquishing his titles as a “victory”.

She told BBC Newsnight: “Virginia wanted all the men who she’d been trafficked to against her will to be held to account and this is just one of the men but … even though he continues to deny it, his life is being eroded because of his past behaviour as it should be.”

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Claims Andrew ‘tried to dig up dirt’ on accuser

The new memoir alleges that Andrew asked a royal close protection officer to “dig up dirt” on Ms Giuffre in 2021.

A Buckingham Palace source told Sky’s royal correspondent Rhiannon Mills these claims are “being viewed with very serious and grave concern” – and “should be investigated in the proper and fullest ways”.

‘Police gaslit my sister’

Meanwhile, Ms Giuffre’s brother and sister-in-law have urged the Independent Office for Police Conduct to review the Met’s decision not to continue its investigations into the allegations she made against Prince Andrew.

Sky and Amanda Roberts told Channel 4 News that Ms Giuffre had been “gaslit” by detectives – as well as British and American authorities – in what amounted to a “kick in the stomach” for her.

In other developments, questions have been raised about whether Andrew should have the right to continue living at the Royal Lodge in Windsor.

Details of the financial arrangements surrounding his 30-bedroom mansion have come to light.

A copy of the leasehold agreement obtained by the PA news agency shows he signed a 75-year lease on the property in 2003 at a cost of £1m.

Since then, he has paid “one peppercorn” of rent “if demanded” per year, a term used to describe a small payment that makes a contract legally binding.

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Families of domestic abuse victims are at breaking point – today they hope for answers

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Families of domestic abuse victims are at breaking point - today they hope for answers

What started as a WhatsApp group for dozens of grieving families has ended up gathering enough momentum to reach Westminster.

Warning: This article contains content you may find distressing.

The parents and relatives of loved ones who have taken their own life following domestic abuse are angry, at a loss, but up for a fight.

Sharon Holland is among those furious at how difficult it is to hold a potential perpetrator accountable for their loved ones’ deaths.

Sharon Holland (L), whose daughter Chloe died by suicide
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Sharon Holland (L), whose daughter Chloe died by suicide

Her daughter, Chloe, died by suicide in 2023 after being in a controlling relationship.

Chloe, 23, suffered months of torment at the hands of her former partner. At the time of his conviction, police said Chloe was a victim of a “horrific campaign of coercive and controlling behaviour”.

Two years on, Ms Holland has shared experiences and developed bonds with families who have been through the same trauma.

But charges and convictions for those potentially responsible are rare. That’s despite figures from the Domestic Homicide Project, funded by the Home Office and led by the National Police Chiefs’ Council, showing more domestic abuse victims take their own lives in England and Wales than are killed by their partner.

There were 1,012 domestic abuse-related deaths in England and Wales between 2020 and 2024, of which 354 were suspected suicides compared to 332 homicides.

Sharon Holland said her group 'don't want this happening to someone else'
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Sharon Holland said her group ‘don’t want this happening to someone else’

Families at ‘breaking point’

Ms Holland’s group are now calling for “justice for all victims of domestic abuse-related suicides” by bringing their campaign to Westminster today.

Asked if this is a movement born out of families being at breaking point, Ms Holland said: “Absolutely.

“All of us mums or sisters all feel the same, that we don’t want this happening to someone else. It’s being dragged out for years and during that time the mums are becoming more and more ill, their health is going downhill, they’re stressed out all the time, on alert, and they just can’t get anywhere with it.

“There’s so many warnings with the police or with the NHS with various agencies that this could not end well for their daughters, and unfortunately it takes the person to die, and then we find out what the failings are.”

Families who believe there has been foul play, or know the abuse their loved ones suffered at the hands of an intimate partner contributed to them taking their own lives, say it’s difficult to be taken seriously.

“The majority of them have been fighting for five years,” Ms Holland said. “They’ve been waiting for the police to get back to them or waiting for the CPS to charge.

“One lady has just waited five years, only to finally hear back from the CPS only to find out they’re not going to charge.

“So that poor woman’s health has gone downhill, fighting for her daughter, who she suspects was a staged suicide and got nowhere.”

Pragna Patel said famillies 'are entirely on their own'
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Pragna Patel said famillies ‘are entirely on their own’

‘Heartbreaking’ for families

Families are often fending for themselves, according to Pragna Patel, co-founder of Project Resist, a charity that supports people affected by domestic abuse and violence.

She said families “are having to navigate the system entirely on their own as they try to find out the circumstances in which their loved ones took their lives and to find out how and why this happened”.

“It’s really heartbreaking to see these families knocking at the doors of the police, knocking at the door of coroners, saying: ‘We know these deaths are suspicious, we know there is a history of coercive and controlling behaviour and domestic abuse behind these deaths, and we want you to investigate.’

“On the whole, families are met with a culture of indifference, apathy and ignorance. They’re just not getting the attention they need.”

‘We must do more,’ says minister

Ms Holland and a host of other families will gather in parliament later to meet safeguarding minister Jess Phillips.

Ahead of the meeting, Ms Phillips told Sky News: “Every death linked to domestic abuse is a tragedy. We must do more to prevent them, and I will be meeting Project Resist to discuss how we can hold perpetrators to account more effectively.

“We are funding the Domestic Homicide Project to capture information on domestic abuse related deaths, including suicides, from all 43 police forces in England and Wales to improve our understanding of this issue.

“But more needs to be done. Our upcoming Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy will set out our plans to strengthen our response to all domestic abuse related deaths.”

Jess Phillips
Image:
Jess Phillips

Sky News understands there are a number of active cases being pursued by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

Part of prosecutors’ assessment of a case includes developing an understanding of the relationship history between the victim and a potential suspect and trying to understand the victim’s state of mind before their death.

But they are relying on evidence and witness statements that need to be taken in a timely manner.

They say they are raising awareness through tailored training about the links between domestic abuse and suicide, so officers are better equipped to exercise “professional curiosity”.

Ahead of the campaign’s launch, a spokesperson for the CPS said: “Domestic abuse is a heinous crime and our prosecutors are actively advised to consider murder and manslaughter charges in suicide cases where there is a known context of domestic abuse or other controlling or coercive behaviour.

“We have previously charged a number of defendants for causing the death of a partner they abused, including in proceedings which are currently active.

“We are also working with police and other stakeholders to ensure these kinds of offences are well-understood – so that we can bring perpetrators to justice for the full extent of their crimes.”

‘You cannot move forward’

Families so far have had to rely on the inquest to scrutinise the circumstances of their loved one’s death.

Chloe died two years ago and hers is yet to happen.

Ms Holland: “The way all this drags out, you cannot sit down, move forward and just grieve. You’re constantly on high alert, fighting everyone, and just hoping that it’ll be over soon.”

A delay for answers and further delay for grief.

Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK

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Louvre robbery: ‘Matter of time’ before thieves struck, expert says – and UK museums could be next

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Louvre robbery: 'Matter of time' before thieves struck, expert says - and UK museums could be next

A prominent expert in recovering stolen works of art has told Sky News it was “a matter of time” before the Louvre was targeted – and UK museums could be next.

Christopher Marinello says gangs have been emboldened to strike because “law enforcement has been driven into the ground”.

And while headlines have focused on thieves making off with priceless jewellery from an iconic French institution, he warns this problem isn’t confined to Paris.

He said: “There are gangs operating all over Europe and not enough is being done to stop them … this was only a matter of time, they’ve been hitting small museums.

“If they can hit the Louvre successfully, they can hit anything. Do you know how many museums there are in the UK?”

Christopher Marinello investigates art theft the police aren't pursuing
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Christopher Marinello investigates art theft the police aren’t pursuing

At the start of October, at the St Fagans National Museum of History in Wales, it took just four minutes for audacious thieves to swipe irreplaceable Bronze Age jewellery.

He says gangs are targeting gold “just to melt it down” and diamonds for their value – “with no regard for the integrity of the artworks and the cultural heritage that they are destroying”.

A spokesperson for the museum has said: “We sympathise deeply with our friends at the Louvre … it emphasises the increased risk to organisations like ours … this highlights the dilemma we face between having items on display for people to enjoy and learn from – or keeping them locked away.”

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Louvre: How ‘heist of the century’ unfolded

Mr Marinello, who investigates art crimes that the police aren’t pursuing, says institutions and stately homes urgently need to wake up to what’s happening.

“They need to start building vaults for these objects because otherwise they’re going to be taken and melted down and used to buy Lamborghinis or drugs,” he warned.

“If the smaller museums can’t afford it, perhaps they’re going to have to consolidate collections to museums that can handle it.”

Read more:
Staff ‘repeatedly warned about security shortcomings’
‘Race against time’ to recover ‘priceless’ jewels

Empress Eugenie's tiara was among the jewellery stolen. Pic: Louvre
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Empress Eugenie’s tiara was among the jewellery stolen. Pic: Louvre

‘You can’t trust anyone’

Mr Marinello went on to warn that gangs are becoming “more brazen” – with the Louvre targeted despite the security measures it had in place.

“The system is not working … the penalties are not strong enough … police are frustrated, prosecutors say the same thing because there’s nowhere to put these people.”

The art recovery expert says he’s concerned how funding cutbacks are making our museums more vulnerable to those who recognise that the obvious rewards outweigh the risks.

The Louvre is one of the most famous landmarks in Paris
Image:
The Louvre is one of the most famous landmarks in Paris

“These museums are designed to preserve and protect our cultural heritage, and they need to be properly funded to do that job,” he added. “They need to be able to stay one step ahead of the criminals.”

“This is not the 1950s any more, you can’t trust anyone. These items are so valuable, and gold is at an all-time high.

“[Thieves] don’t care if an item belonged to Napoleon III, it means nothing to them. All they care about is quick cash.”

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