Lucy Letby: Expert panel gives alternative causes of death in several cases

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3 hours ago

February 4, 2025

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A panel of international medical experts has given alternative causes of death in several cases against Lucy Letby.

Retired neonatologist Dr Shoo Lee, who co-authored an academic paper on air embolisms (bubbles) in babies in 1989 which featured prominently in the trial, chaired a panel of 14 experts to compile an “impartial evidence-based report”.

Dr Lee said he believed his findings on skin mottling were misinterpreted by the prosecution. He said in a new paper he published in December 2024 there were no cases of skin discolouration when air was injected into the veins.

At her trial in 2023, prosecutors pointed to skin discolouration in several of the victims as evidence that air had been injected into their veins by Letby.

“The notion that these cases are air embolism because they collapsed and because there were skin rashes has no basis in evidence. Let’s be clear about that,” Dr Lee said.

Lucy Letby latest: Experts reveal ‘new medical evidence’ questioning nurse’s guilt

The panel laid out alternative causes of death in many of the cases, including natural causes and poor medical care at Countess of Chester Hospital.

“We did not find any murders,” Dr Lee said. “In all cases, death or injury were due to natural causes or just bad medical care.”

Asked about the Countess of Chester Hospital, Dr Lee, a retired medic from Canada, said: “I would say if this was a hospital in Canada, it would be shut down. It would not be happening.”

Sky News has approached the Countess of Chester Hospital for comment.

Minutes before the conference began, the Criminal Cases Review Commission, which investigates potential miscarriages of justice, announced it would review Letby’s case after receiving an application from her lawyers on Monday.

Opening the press conference, MP Sir David Davis described Letby’s convictions as “one of the major injustices of modern times”.

Findings will be earth-shattering for babies’ parents

This must have been one of the most distressing mornings for the grieving parents of the babies who died in Chester.

A 10-month trial concluded their new borns were murdered by Lucy Letby.

Now they have been presented with a body of evidence gathered by some of the world’s leading neonatal experts that could and probably will put some doubt against her conviction.

Every single baby’s death has been forensically analysed: the allegations presented in court with the circumstances of each death against what the panel claims are the clinical facts in the case.

Dr Shoo Lee, the panel chair, approached Letby’s lawyers following her conviction in 2023. He was convinced his 1989 paper on neonatal deaths used as evidence in the case against Letby had been misinterpreted.

The team he has assembled to examine each death is a world leader in their own respective field.

For parents learning today these experts believe some of the baby deaths were preventable and not the result of a serial killer nurse will come as nothing less than earth-shattering.

This expert panel review of each case, if true, could point to yet another systemic failure of NHS maternity care.

But now it will be for the Criminal Cases Review Commission to decide if Letby’s case is investigated as a potential miscarriage of justice.

Letby, 35, the UK’s most prolific child killer of modern times, is serving fifteen whole life terms in prison after she was convicted at Manchester Crown Court of murdering seven infants and attempting to murder seven others between June 2015 and June 2016.

Various methods were used to attack the babies while the defendant worked as a nurse on the neonatal unit at the Countess of Chester Hospital.

One method was air being injected into the bloodstream which caused an air embolism, blocking the bloody supply and leading to sudden and unexpected collapses.

Last year Letby lost two bids to challenge her convictions at the Court of Appeal – in May for seven murders and seven attempted murders, and in October for the attempted murder of a baby girl, which she was convicted of by a different jury at a retrial.

In December, the former nurse’s barrister, Mark McDonald, said he would seek permission from the Court of Appeal to re-open her case on the grounds Dr Dewi Evans, the lead prosecution medical expert at her trial, was “not reliable”.

Dr Evans, a retired consultant paediatrician, said concerns regarding his evidence were “unsubstantiated, unfounded, inaccurate”.

In September a public inquiry into how Letby was able to commit her crimes began hearing evidence. Closing legal submissions are expected in March and the findings are expected to be published this autumn.

Detectives from Cheshire Constabulary are also continuing their review of the care of some 4,000 babies admitted to the Countess of Chester Hospital from January 2012 to the end of June 2016, while Letby worked as a neonatal nurse, there. It also includes two work placements at Liverpool Women’s Hospital in 2012 and 2015.

Letby has been interviewed under caution at HMP Bronzefield in Ashford, Surrey, in relation to the ongoing investigation into baby deaths and non-fatal collapses.

She maintains her innocence.

UK

Sister of Sheffield school stabbing victim pays tribute: ‘My heart is broken into a million pieces’

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3 hours ago

February 4, 2025

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Sister of Sheffield school stabbing victim pays tribute: 'My heart is broken into a million pieces'

The sister of a 15-year-old boy who died after being stabbed at a school in Sheffield has paid tribute to him.

Sophie Willgoose, whose brother Harvey died after being stabbed at All Saints Catholic High School, said: “My heart is broken into a million pieces.”

She posted on Facebook: “I love you so much Harvey… Hug your loved ones a little tighter tonight cos I wish I could.”

South Yorkshire Police was called to the school on Granville Road at 12.17pm on Monday after reports of a stabbing.

Harvey was said to have “suffered serious injuries” and despite the best efforts of medics, he died a short time later.

A 15-year-old boy has been detained on suspicion of murder and remains in custody.

‘He would make your day better’

On Tuesday, tributes were left outside the school for Harvey.

One of the 15-year-old’s teachers called him “always polite and friendly”.

A note read: “I only taught you a few times in year 7 but I remember you well.

“Despite being occasionally a little too energetic, you were always polite and friendly. I am so sorry this has happened.”

One of Harvey’s fellow students described his death as “such a shock”.

The 17-year-old said: “He was such a lovely lad, he was cheeky, but was lovely.

“He would make your day better hearing him down that hallway. You didn’t have to personally know him to be upset.

“Teachers loved him, students loved him, everyone loved him.

“I’ve been at the school for seven years now and nothing like this has ever, ever happened.”

Luisa Meco’s 14-year-old daughter, Ivane, has known Harvey since they were in nursery together.

Ms Meco described his death as “shocking”.

She said: “It’s all a bit unreal. I don’t think she’s processed it all properly. It’s a big thing to happen to a local school.

“It’s not something you imagine that your children go to school and something like this happens.

“It’s really shocking, it”s really sad.”

Other mourners gathered outside Sheffield United’s stadium Bramall Lane. Harvey was reportedly a fan of the football club.

A club spokesperson told Sky News: “All at Sheffield United were saddened to learn of the passing of Harvey, our deepest condolences are offered to his family and friends at this difficult time.

“We share the shock and distress of the community following this tragic incident and appreciate that discussions are underway with regards to tributes to remember Harvey.”

Speaking on Monday afternoon, Assistant Chief Constable Lindsey Butterfield told a news conference: “We know that what has happened will cause significant distress and concern.

“I would like to reassure you that our officers will remain on scene and in the local area to offer reassurance to parents, staff and local residents as our investigation continues.”

Sir Keir Starmer, who was in Brussels at a dinner with EU leaders on Monday, said: “It is horrific and senseless news that a boy has died after a stabbing in Sheffield.

“Our schools should be places of safety and learning, not violence and fear. My government is absolutely committed to tackling knife crime so young people are safe on our streets and in our schools.

“Tonight a young boy should be returning to the love and safety of his family.”

UK

Actor and comedian Brian Murphy dies aged 92

Published

3 hours ago

February 4, 2025

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Actor and comedian Brian Murphy dies aged 92

Actor and comedian Brian Murphy has died aged 92.

Best known for his role in the 1970s sitcoms Man About The House and George And Mildred, news of his passing was shared by his wife Hi-de-Hi! actress Linda Regan.

Posting a picture of her kissing her husband, she said: “My love for you will never die. RIP sweetheart.”

He died on Sunday morning at his home in Kent, with his wife of 35 years by his side.

In a statement, she said: “I was lucky to have in my lifetime found my soulmate. Brian who I will love forever!”

Agent and friend Thomas Bowington described Murphy as a “truly joyful and profoundly good-hearted man”.

Murphy first came to prominence playing landlord George Roper in Man About The House, starring alongside the late Yootha Joyce.

The show began in 1973 and was considered controversial for the time because it featured two single women living with a man.

When it ended in 1976, Murphy and Joyce starred in the spin-off, George And Mildred, which ran for five series until 1979.

He also starred as Alvin Smedley in Last Of The Summer Wine.

Born on the Isle of Wight, Murphy was a member of the Theatre Workshop, founded by Joan Littlewood, and was a jobbing actor before appearing in TV shows including Z-Cars.

In 1993, he starred in the first major stage version of the HG Wells science fiction classic The Invisible Man.

More recently, Murphy appeared in TV shows including the BBC’s Holby City and ITV’s Benidorm.

He is survived by his wife and two sons.

UK

Southport triple murderer refuses to leave cell for court hearing

Published

4 hours ago

February 4, 2025

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Southport triple murderer refuses to leave cell for court hearing

Southport triple murderer Axel Rudakubana has refused to leave his cell for a court hearing that made a correction to his life sentence.

The 18-year-old was jailed for a minimum of 52 years last month after he admitted stabbing three girls, aged between seven and nine, to death at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in July 2024.

Rudakubana was due to appear at Liverpool Crown Court via videolink from Belmarsh Prison on Tuesday morning for a short hearing to correct a technical error concerning how his jail term was described.

However his defence lawyer Carmel Wilde told the court: “We understand from staff at Belmarsh that he has refused to leave his cell to attend court or to speak to his legal team.”

Deanna Heer KC, prosecuting, asked the judge to change Rudakubana’s sentence from “custody for life” to “detention at His Majesty’s pleasure” because he was under 18 at the time of the murders.

Mr Justice Goose said: “The case of the Crown against Axel Rudakubana was listed for mention on the application of the prosecution.

“The purpose of this hearing is to correct a technical error but which will have no effect on the total sentence imposed on the defendant on January 23 this year.”

He said the sentence is “still a life sentence”, but of a different kind.

The judge added: “The defendant has refused to waive his right to attend or to be here.”

The judge told the court that, because of the circumstances of the application, which would not result in his sentence being lengthened, Rudakubana was not required to attend.

The teenager murdered Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, at the dance class in Southport, Merseyside.

He also admitted attempting to murder eight other children and two adults, possession of a knife, production of a biological toxin – ricin – and possessing information likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing to commit an act of terrorism.