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August 18, 2023 5 mins
In a shocking verdict delivered at the Manchester Crown Court, Lucy Letby, a 33-year-old British nurse, was convicted on charges of murdering seven newborn infants and attempting to murder six others at the Countess of Chester Hospital in northwest England. This harrowing court battle spanned 10 months, with Letby now recognized as Britain's most notorious child killer in contemporary times, according to prominent local media outlets.
 
With intense emotions resonating in the courtroom, Letby's crimes were primarily committed during her night shifts in 2015 and 2016. The seven victims she fatally attacked comprised five baby boys and two baby girls.
 
"Understanding the 'why' behind such heinous acts might forever remain a mystery," shared the grieving families of the victims in an emotional statement. "Our hearts are shattered. The feeling of devastation, anger, and numbness is overwhelming."
 
The gruesome details presented during the trial included how Letby administered fatal dosages. Prosecutors detailed that she poisoned several infants by injecting them with insulin. Others faced a grim fate when injected with air or were force-fed milk. Some infants endured multiple assaults before tragically succumbing.
 
A chilling handwritten note unearthed by police in Letby's residence provided a glimpse into her mental state: "I intentionally took their lives because I felt incompetent to care for them. I'm the embodiment of evil." This note echoed her haunting words, "I AM EVIL I DID THIS".
 
Highlighting the depth of her nefarious acts, some of the infants Letby targeted were twins. In a particularly distressing case, she succeeded in killing both siblings, while in others, one twin would tragically lose their life.
 
One can hardly comprehend the gravity of her actions when considering the age of her youngest victim - merely a day old.
 
Upon the conclusion of the trial, prosecutor Nick Johnson depicted Letby as a "constant malevolent presence." Her sinister actions first drew suspicion when senior doctors noticed a surge in unexplained deaths in the neonatal unit over an 18-month span starting January 2015. This unit, dedicated to premature or sick babies, was where Letby was assigned.
 
Social media portrayed a stark contrast, showcasing a cheerful Letby with an active social life. Yet, trial testimonies painted a picture of a determined and cold-blooded killer. The jury learned of her persistent attempts to end a baby girl's life and her audacious claim to a mother: "Trust me, I'm a nurse."
 
Despite her web of deceit, Letby broke down during her 14-day testimony. She vehemently denied the allegations, citing understaffing and unsanitary conditions on the ward as the culprits. She further alleged a conspiracy against her by four doctors and claimed the handwritten note was a result of feeling overwhelmed.
 
However, the prosecution was unyielding, branding Letby as a calculated and deceitful liar. Detective Superintendent Paul Hughes, who helmed the investigation, reflected, "Unless she decides to open up, the real motive might remain an enigma."
 
Dr. Stephen Brearey from the neonatal unit lamented the hospital administration's lack of proactive measures despite consistent concerns raised by him and his colleagues. Nigel Scawn, Medical Director at Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, expressed profound remorse, emphasizing the commitment to continuous learning from this tragedy.
 
The government's involvement includes an independent inquiry focusing on addressing clinician concerns. A devastated father, whose twins miraculously survived Letby's murderous intent, implored the hospital for answers, stating, "They had the power to prevent this."

Lucy Letby's dark past is being further probed, extending to her tenure at another Liverpool hospital where she received her training. Detective Hughes confirmed
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