Serial baby killer nurse Lucy Letby to find out if she’ll face retrial on multiple attempted murder charges

UK prosecutors will announce whether they will seek a retrial for serial killer nurse Lucy Letby on several outstanding allegations later this month.

Letby was sentenced to a whole life order for murdering seven babies and attempting to murder six others at the Countess of Chester Hospital’s neonatal unit in 2015 and 2016.

However, the Manchester Crown Court jury could not reach verdicts on six counts of attempted murder in relation to five children.

A hearing is due at the same court on September 25, when the Crown Prosecution Service will state its intentions.

Letby, 33, had denied all 22 of the charges she faced and refused to attend her sentencing hearing last month.

She was cleared of two counts of attempted murder.

The jury of eight women and four men could not reach verdicts on allegations that Letby attempted to murder three baby girls — Child H, Child J and Child K.

Jurors could not reach verdicts on two counts of attempted murder against child N, a baby boy, and an allegation that she tried to murder another male infant, child Q.

Letby was found guilty of one other count of attempted murder against child N.

Earlier this week, it was announced that one of the UK’s most senior judges, Lady Justice Thirlwall, would lead the inquiry into Letby’s crimes.

UK Health Secretary Steve Barclay told MPs that Lady Justice Thirlwall, currently in the Court of Appeal, was a judge and barrister “with many years of experience”.

The inquiry will have legal powers to compel witnesses, including former and current staff of the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, to provide evidence.

Mr Barclay added: “I have raised with Lady Justice Thirlwall that the families should work with her to shape the terms of reference.

“We hope to finalise these in the next couple of weeks so the inquiry can start the consultation as soon as possible.”