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Lucy Letby will die in prison after being handed 14 whole-life orders for murdering seven babies and attempting to murder six others while working on a hospital’s neonatal unit.

The judge imposed a whole-life order for each offence she committed, meaning she will spend the rest of her life in prison unless under very exceptional circumstances.

She faced seven murder charges and seven counts of attempted murder because she tried to kill one of the babies twice.

Letby, 33, did not appear in court for her sentencing – something which has renewed calls for a law forcing criminals to face justice in person.

The mother of one of the babies murdered by Letby said her decision not to appear was one “final act of wickedness from a coward”.

Mr Justice Goss told Manchester Crown Court during sentencing: “There was premeditation, calculation and cunning in your actions.”

He said Letby “relished” being in the intensive care unit where she took an interest in “uncommon” complications and targeted twins and triplets.

Live from court: ‘Tears in court as ‘sadistic’ Letby sentenced – latest updates

Lucy Letby

The judge said before passing sentence: “Over a period of 13 months, you killed seven fragile babies and attempted to kill six others.

“Some of your victims were only a day, or a few days old. All were extremely vulnerable.”

He added: “This was a cruel, calculated and cynical campaign of child murder involving the smallest and most vulnerable children, knowing your actions were causing significant physical suffering.

“There was a malevolence bordering on sadism in your actions.

“During the course of this trial you have coldly denied any responsibility for your wrongdoing.

“You have no remorse. There are no mitigating factors.

“In their totality, the offences of murder and attempted murder are of exceptionally high seriousness, and just punishment, according to law, requires a whole life order.”

Explainer: Can criminals like Letby be forced into court?

An artists sketch of the victims' families, who have the right to anonymity, in court
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An artist’s sketch of the victims’ families, who have the right to anonymity, in court

Letby – who was in her mid-20s and working at the Countess of Chester Hospital at the time of the murders between June 2015 and June 2016 – is the UK’s most prolific child killer of modern times.

She is also only the fourth woman in UK history to be told she will never be released from prison.

The other women are Moors murderer Myra Hindley, who died in 2002, and serial killers Rose West and Joanna Dennehy, who remain behind bars.

“The impact of your crimes has been immense,” the judge said of Letby, adding “lifelong harm” had been caused after she targeted babies whose lives were cut short “almost as soon as they began”.

“Loving parents have been robbed of their cherished children,” he added. “You have caused deep psychological trauma.”

Read more:
PM calls Letby cowardly for not appearing in court
The psychology behind healthcare murders
How the police caught Lucy Letby

Mr Justice Goss
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Mr Justice Goss

This morning families of Letby’s victims spoke of their heartbreaking ordeals in court.

The mother of Child C said her experience in hospital was “like something out of a horror story“, adding: “The trauma of that night will live with us all until the day we die. Knowing now his murderer was watching us.”

Meanwhile, 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.

The father of children O and P, who were murdered by Letby, said he turned to alcohol after their deaths and at one point considered taking his own life.

The father of Child G, who requires constant care after being attacked by Letby, told a court his baby was saved by God but “the Devil found her”.

The girl is registered blind, has quadriplegic cerebral palsy and is fed by a tube through her stomach.

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.

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Letby sentencing: PM looking at changing law

Mr Justice Goss said in his remarks about Letby: “You acted in a way that was completely contrary to the normal human instincts of nurturing and caring for babies and in gross breach of the trust that all citizens place in those who work in the medical and caring professions.

“The babies you harmed were born prematurely and some were at risk of not surviving but in each case you deliberately harmed them, intending to kill them.”

Lucy Letby in court. Pic: Artist's sketch
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Lucy Letby in court. Pic: Artist’s sketch

He said Letby took opportunities to harm babies while staff were on breaks.

The judge said: “You knew the last thing anyone working in the unit would or did think was that someone caring for the babies was deliberately harming them.”

Letby had been found guilty by a series of partial verdicts, delivered several days apart, with the judge issuing reporting restrictions until the end of the trial.

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How the police caught Lucy Letby

Following the sentencing of Letby, Detective Chief Inspector Nicola Evans said: “The sentence reflects the true scale and gravity of her horrific crimes and ensures that a calculated and dangerous individual is behind bars for a very long time.

“Nothing will bring back the babies who died or take away the pain and suffering experienced by all of the families over the years but I hope that the significant sentence will bring some comfort at this dark time.”

Meanwhile, the justice secretary said the government is looking at options to change the law to force criminals to appear in court for sentencing.

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Moment of Lucy Letby’s arrest

Alex Chalk said: “She took the coward’s approach, insulting her victims one last time by robbing their families of the chance to look her in the eye as the judge decided her fate.

“Cases like these make me even more determined to make sure the worst offenders attend court to face justice, when ordered by the judge.

“That’s why we are looking at options to change the law at the earliest opportunity to ensure that in the silence that follows the clang of the prison gate, society’s condemnation will be ringing in prisoners’ ears.”

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said he shared the victims’ families anger about not seeing Lucy Letby in the dock for her sentencing hearing as he urged the government to change the law to compel criminals to attend.

He said: “Just think of those victims’ families today not seeing the defendant in the dock facing justice as she properly should. They are angry, they’re frustrated. I share that.”

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What is the car finance scandal – and what could today’s ruling mean for motorists?

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What is the car finance scandal - and what could today's ruling mean for motorists?

The UK’s Supreme Court is set to deliver a landmark ruling today that could have billion-pound consequences for banks and impact millions of motorists.

The essential question that the country’s top court has been asked to answer is this: should customers be fully informed about the commission dealers earn on their purchase?

However, the Supreme Court is only considering one of two cases running in parallel regarding the mis-selling of car finance.

Here is everything you need to know about both cases, and how the ruling this afternoon may (or may not) affect any future compensation scheme.

File photo dated 26/3/2021 of the UK Supreme Court in Parliament Square, central London. A legal challenge over whether trans women can be regarded as female for the purposes of the 2010 Equality Act begins at the UK Supreme Court on Tuesday. The action is the latest in a series of challenges brought by the campaign group For Women Scotland (FWS) over the definition of "woman" in Scottish legislation mandating 50% female representation on public boards. Issue date: Monday November 25, 2024.
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What is the Supreme Court considering?

The Supreme Court case concerns complaints related to the non-disclosure of commission. This applies to 99% of car finance cases.

When you buy a car on finance, you are effectively loaned the money, which you pay off in monthly instalments. These loans carry interest, organised by the brokers (the people who sell you the finance plan).

These brokers earn money in the form of a commission (which is a percentage of the interest payments).

Last year, the Court of Appeal ruled in favour of three motorists who were not informed that the car dealerships they agreed finance deals with were also being paid 25% commission, which was then added to their bills.

The ruling said it was unlawful for the car dealers to receive a commission from lenders without obtaining the customer’s informed consent to the payment.

However, British lender Close Brothers and South Africa’s FirstRand appealed the decision, landing it in the Supreme Court.

Toy Car In Front Of Businessman Calculating Loan. Saving money for car concept, trade car for cash concept, finance concept.
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Pic: iStock

What does the second case involve?

The second case is being driven by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and involves discretionary commission arrangements (DCAs).

Under these arrangements, brokers and dealers increased the amount of interest they earned without telling buyers and received more commission for it. This is said to have incentivised sellers to maximise interest rates.

The FCA banned this practice in 2021. However, a high number of consumers have complained they were overcharged before the ban came into force. The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) said in May that they were dealing with 20,000 complaints.

In January 2024, the FCA announced a review into whether motor finance customers had been overcharged because of past use of DCAs. It is using its powers to review historical motor finance commission arrangements across multiple firms – all of whom deny acting inappropriately.

The FCA also said it is looking into a “consumer redress scheme” that means firms would need to offer appropriate compensation to customers affected by the issue.

An estimated 40% of car finance deals are likely to be eligible for compensation over motor finance deals taken out between 2007 and 2021, when the DCAs were banned.

To find out how you can tell if you’ve been mis-sold car finance, read the following explainer from our reporter Megan Harwood-Baynes.

Read more from the Sky News Money blog

Pic: iStock
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Pic: iStock

How does the ruling affect potential compensation?

In short, the Supreme Court ruling could impact the scale and reach that a compensation scheme is likely to have.

The FCA said in March that it will consider the court’s decision and if it concludes motor finance customers have lost out from widespread failings by firms, it is “likely [to] consult on an industry-wide redress scheme”.

This would mean affected individuals wouldn’t need to complain, but they would be paid out an amount dictated by the FCA.

However, no matter what the court decides, the FCA could go ahead with a redress scheme.

The regulator said it will confirm if it is proposing a scheme within six weeks of the Supreme Court’s decision.

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What impact could this have on lenders?

Analysts at HSBC said last year the controversy could be estimated to cost up to £44bn.

Alongside Close Brothers, firms that could be affected include Barclays, Santander and the UK’s largest motor finance provider Lloyds Banking Group – which organises loans through its Black Horse finance arm.

Lloyds has already set aside £1.2bn to be used for potential compensation.

London, United Kingdom - January 1, 2017: Bank branch and ATM of Lloyds Bank with people around in London, England, United Kingdom

The potential impact on the lending market and the wider economy could be so great that Chancellor Rachel Reeves is considering intervening to overrule the Supreme Court, according to The Guardian.

Treasury officials have been looking at the potential of passing new legislation alongside the Department for Business and Trade that could slash the potential compensation bill.

The Treasury said in response to the claim that it does not “comment on speculation” but hopes to see a “balanced judgment”.

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Full details of Heathrow’s plans for a third runway revealed

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Full details of Heathrow's plans for a third runway revealed

Heathrow Airport has said it can build a third runway for £21bn within the next decade.

Europe’s busiest travel hub has submitted its plans to the government – with opponents raising concerns about carbon emissions, noise pollution and environmental impacts.

The west London airport wants permission to create a 3,500m (11,400ft) runway, but insists it is open to considering a shorter one instead.

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January: Third runway ‘badly needed’

In January, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced that the government supports a “badly needed” expansion to connect the UK to the world and open up new growth opportunities.

But London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan is still against a new runway because of “the severe impact” it will have on the capital’s residents.

Under Heathrow’s proposal, the runway would be constructed to the northwest of its existing location – allowing for an additional 276,000 flights per year.

The airport also wants to create new terminal capacity for 150 million annual passengers – up from 84 million – with plans involving a new terminal complex named T5XW and T5XN.

More on Heathrow Airport

Terminal 2 would be extended, while Terminal 3 and the old Terminal 1 would be demolished.

The runway would be privately funded, with the total plan costing about £49bn, but some airlines have expressed concern that the airport will hike its passenger charges to pay for the project.

EasyJet chief executive Kenton Jarvis said an expansion would “represent a unique opportunity for easyJet to operate from the airport at scale for the first time and bring with it lower fares for consumers”.

Read more:
Who’s behind these Heathrow leaflets?
A long history of Heathrow’s third runway plans

File photo dated 29/10/12 of a plane taking off from Heathrow Airport. Heathrow has increased the number of passengers it expects to travel through the airport this year to 82.8 million, which is 1.4 million more than it predicted in December 2023. Issue date: Tuesday April 23, 2024.

Thomas Woldbye, the airport’s chief executive, said in a statement that “it has never been more important or urgent to expand Heathrow”.

“We are effectively operating at capacity to the detriment of trade and connectivity,” he added.

“With a green light from government and the correct policy support underpinned by a fit-for-purpose, regulatory model, we are ready to mobilise and start investing this year in our supply chain across the country.

“We are uniquely placed to do this for the country. It is time to clear the way for take-off.”

The M25 motorway would need to be moved into a tunnel under the new runway under the airport’s proposal.

Airplanes remain parked on the tarmac at Heathrow International Airport.
Pic: Reuters
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Pic: Reuters

London mayor still opposed

Sir Sadiq says City Hall will “carefully scrutinise” the proposals, adding: “I’ll be keeping all options on the table in how we respond.”

Tony Bosworth, climate campaigner at Friends of the Earth, also said that if Sir Keir Starmer wants to be “seen as a climate leader”, then backing Heathrow expansion is “the wrong move”.

Earlier this year, Longford resident Christian Hughes told Sky News that his village and others nearby would be “decimated” if an expansion were to go ahead.

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January: Village to be levelled for new runway

It comes after hotel tycoon Surinder Arora published a rival Heathrow expansion plan, which involves a shorter runway to avoid the need to divert the M25 motorway.

The billionaire’s Arora Group said a 2,800m (9,200ft) runway would result in “reduced risk” and avoid “spiralling cost”.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander will consider all plans over the summer so that a review of the Airports National Policy Statement can begin later this year.

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It also comes after Sky News reported on a Heathrow Airport-funded group sending leaflets supporting a third runway to thousands of homes across west London.

The group, called Back Heathrow, sent leaflets to people living near the airport, claiming expansion could be the route to a “greener” airport and suggesting it would mean only the “cleanest and quietest aircraft” fly there.

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Who’s behind these Heathrow leaflets?

Opponents of the airport’s expansion said the information provided by the group is “incredibly misleading”.

Back Heathrow told Sky News it had “always been open” about the support it receives from the airport. The funding is not disclosed on Back Heathrow’s newsletter or website.

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Man, 76, arrested on suspicion of administering poison at summer camp after eight children taken to hospital

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Man, 76, arrested on suspicion of administering poison at summer camp after eight children taken to hospital

A 76-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of administering poison at a summer camp which led to eight children being taken to hospital, police said.

Police received reports of children feeling unwell at a summer camp in Canal Lane, Stathern, Leicestershire, on Monday.

Paramedics assessed eight children, who were taken to hospital as a precaution and have all now been discharged.

The suspect was arrested at the camp and remains in custody on suspicion of administering poison with intent to injure/aggrieve/annoy.

Detective Inspector Neil Holden said: “We understand the concern this incident will have caused to parents, guardians and the surrounding community.

“We are in contact with the parents and guardians of all children concerned.

“Please be reassured that we have several dedicated resources deployed and are working with partner agencies including children’s services to ensure full safeguarding is provided to the children involved.

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“We also remain at the scene to carry out enquiries into the circumstances of what has happened and to continue to provide advice and support in the area.

“This is a complex and sensitive investigation and we will continue to provide updates to both parents and guardians and the public as and when we can.”

The force said it has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) over what it said was the “circumstances of the initial police response”.

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