Child serial killer Lucy Letby to bring further conviction appeal bid next month

Child serial killer Lucy Letby is set to pursue a challenge against her most recent conviction at the Court of Appeal next month.

Court staff confirmed on Friday that the former nurse was bringing a bid to appeal against her conviction for attempted murder in July.

Judges will consider the case at a hearing on October 24, according to court listings.

In August 2023, Letby, of Hereford, was sentenced to 14 whole life orders after she was convicted of the murders of seven babies and the attempted murders of six others, with two attempts on one of her victims.

The offences took place at the Countess of Chester Hospital’s neonatal unit, where Letby worked as a nurse, between June 2015 and June 2016.

Judges rejected her bid to challenge these convictions in a ruling in May.

She was later sentenced to an additional whole-life order for the attempted murder of a baby girl after a retrial at Manchester Crown Court in June and July.

A court order prohibits reporting of the identities of the surviving and dead children involved in the case.

A public inquiry into the events surrounding Letby’s crimes, chaired by judge Lady Justice Thirlwall, began at Liverpool Town Hall earlier this month.

The judge said inquiry hearings would finish in early 2025 and she expected to publish her findings by late autumn of that year.

The BBC reported earlier this month that Letby had a new legal team, with her barrister Mark McDonald telling the broadcaster that he planned to make an application to the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC).

The CCRC investigates potential miscarriages of justice and can refer cases back to the Court of Appeal for consideration.