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Police in Cheshire have launched a corporate manslaughter investigation into the Countess of Chester Hospital after nurse Lucy Letby was jailed for murdering seven babies.

The 33-year-old former nurse was sentenced to a whole life order after she was convicted of the murders of the babies and the attempted murders of six others at the hospital’s neonatal unit in 2015 and 2016.

Detective Superintendent Simon Blackwell, who is strategic lead for Operation Hummingbird, which investigated the allegations against Letby, said: “Following the lengthy trial, subsequent conviction of Lucy Letby and an assessment by senior investigative officers, I can confirm that Cheshire Constabulary is carrying out an investigation into corporate manslaughter at the Countess of Chester Hospital.

“The investigation will focus on the indictment period of the charges for Lucy Letby, from June 2015 to June 2016, and consider areas including senior leadership and decision making to determine whether any criminality has taken place.

“At this stage we are not investigating any individuals in relation to gross negligence manslaughter.”

He added: “The investigation is in the very early stages and we are unable to go into any further details or answer specific questions at this time.

“We recognise that this investigation will have a significant impact on a number of different stakeholders including the families in this case and we are continuing to work alongside and support them during this process.

“You will be notified of any further updates in due course.”

Jane Tomkinson OBE, the acting chief executive officer at the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said in a statement after the police announcement: “We were deeply saddened and appalled at Lucy Letby’s crimes when the verdicts were delivered.

“Following the trial we have always maintained we will be supporting the ongoing investigation by Cheshire Police and will be cooperating fully with the investigation announced today so that we can help get the answers that the families and babies affected by this case rightly deserve.

“Cheshire Police have given us their assurance that they are providing ongoing support to the families, who remain at the forefront of our thoughts and efforts to support this investigation.

“It would not be appropriate for the Trust to make any further comment at this time.”

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Boy, 16, charged after teenager stabbed in Nottingham city centre Primark store

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Boy, 16, charged after teenager stabbed in Nottingham city centre Primark store

A 16-year-old boy has been charged after another teenager was stabbed in the chest in front of shoppers at a Primark store in Nottingham.

The 17-year-old victim was seriously injured in the shop in Long Row at about 11.30am on Sunday, police said.

A boy, who cannot be named because of his age, was arrested a few hours after the incident and has now been charged with wounding with intent and possession of a bladed article in a public place, Nottinghamshire Police added.

He has been remanded into custody and is due to appear before magistrates on Monday.

The victim is in a stable condition and his injuries are not thought to be life-threatening, police said.

Detective Chief Inspector Claire Gould, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “We understand the alarm this incident has caused and I’d like to reassure the public we have been working at pace to build a full picture of what had happened – and why.

“I am pleased we have now been able to charge a suspect in this case.

“As we continue to progress with our investigation, we are still urging anyone who has information which could assist us with our inquiries, who hasn’t already come forward, to please contact us as soon as possible.”

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Rocks and scooter thrown at trains on 120mph line in ‘incredibly dangerous’ spate of attacks

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Rocks and scooter thrown at trains on 120mph line in 'incredibly dangerous' spate of attacks

Rocks and a scooter have been thrown at trains from a bridge above a 120mph railway line, an operator has said.

East Midlands Railway (EMR) said a train was damaged in the first recorded incident on 3 February when a large scooter was hurled off a pedestrian bridge near Loughborough station in Leicestershire.

Builders’ waste and masonry were dropped onto a track from the bridge – which connects Allsopp’s Lane with Little Moor Lane – and a rock was thrown at a train on 16 February.

Another object was thrown from the bridge, smashing a train’s windscreen, a day later.

The “incredibly dangerous” incidents impacted 21 services and caused more than three-and-a-half hours of delays, the operator said.

Pic: EMR/PA
 Rocks and a scooter have been thrown at trains in a spate of "incredibly dangerous" attacks from a bridge above a 120mph railway line, the operator said
Image:
Masonry has also been dropped on to tracks. Pic: EMR/PA

Danielle Clarke, EMR community safeguarding and security manager, said: “These acts are not pranks or a bit of harmless fun, but incredibly dangerous crimes that put customers and staff at serious risk of injury or worse.

“They also lead to trains being damaged, delayed, and services being cancelled.”

She said action was being taken to address the issue, and appealed to members of the public to report any similar incidents or suspicious behaviour on or around railways to British Transport Police.

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Dan Matthews, head of operations delivery at Network Rail, said: “These acts of vandalism not only put lives at serious risk but also cause significant disruption to our rail network.

“We work closely with train operators like EMR, and British Transport Police, to prevent such incidents and catch those responsible.”

He added: “The safety of passengers and railway staff is our top priority, and we will not tolerate actions that compromise this.”

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Teenager pleads guilty to murdering his mother and two younger siblings in Luton

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Teenager pleads guilty to murdering his mother and two younger siblings in Luton

A 19-year-old man has pleaded guilty to murdering his mother and two younger teenage siblings in Luton last year.

Nicholas Prosper, 19, appeared at Luton Crown Court over the deaths of Juliana Falcon, 48, Giselle Prosper, 13, and Kyle Prosper, 16.

Their bodies were found at a flat in Leabank, off Wauluds Bank Drive, in September.

As he appeared in court on Monday, he spoke to confirm his identity and to plead guilty to three counts of murder.

Prosper also admitted a number of other offences, including purchasing a shotgun without a certificate, possession of a shotgun with intent to endanger life and possession of a kitchen knife in a public place.

He will be sentenced on 5 March and has been remanded in custody.

A friend of Prosper’s mother previously described her as someone who “lived for her children” and said she was “a positive person who will be so terribly missed”.

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A statement on X, from the headteacher at Lea Manor High School, said they were “deeply shocked” by the death of Giselle.

“Giselle was a beautiful soul and a model pupil, she excelled in all her subjects and will be sorely missed, particularly by her friends in Year 9.”

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