Lucy Letby Case: New Evidence and Uncertain Future for Appeals Process
Crucial developments follow expert panel's conclusion challenging medical evidence used in Lucy Letby's convictions.
Lucy Letby, a neonatal nurse convicted of murdering seven infants and attempting to murder seven others at the Countess of Chester Hospital, is currently serving 15 whole-life sentences in Bronzefield prison.
Recently, a panel of 14 leading neonatologists and paediatricians concluded that there is 'no medical evidence' supporting the claims of malfeasance related to her convictions.
This development raises questions about the future of her case as it awaits review by the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC).
The CCRC is an independent body in the United Kingdom tasked with investigating potential miscarriages of justice and has the authority to refer cases back to the Court of Appeal for reconsideration.
The CCRC's current review of Letby’s case follows the submission of a 31-page summary report, which is part of a larger dossier expected to be delivered in the coming weeks.
Letby’s convictions were primarily based on the testimonies of a single retired consultant paediatrician.
The new panel of experts asserts that there is a lack of scientific proof regarding the methods she is alleged to have used, including injecting air into the infants' bloodstreams and administering insulin.
Legal representatives for Letby, including barrister Mark McDonald, argue that this evidence is substantial enough to warrant an immediate referral back to the Court of Appeal.
However, timelines for a decision by the CCRC remain unclear.
A source within the CCRC indicated that the review process could take 'years, not months' due to the complexity and volume of the original case materials.
The investigation will be comprehensive, involving a detailed examination of all evidence presented during the trials.
Letby has previously attempted to appeal her conviction, both of which were dismissed by the Court of Appeal in May 2022. This raises questions about whether the higher court will view the new evidence as grounds for reopening her case.
In terms of her immediate future, Lucy Letby remains incarcerated and continues to be viewed as one of the most notorious serial killers in British history.
Any potential discussions around bail are currently hindered by the stance of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), which has indicated it will oppose any such applications, grounded in the previously assessed evidence that led to her convictions.
As the CCRC contemplates Letby’s case, additional factors may further complicate proceedings.
Reports suggest that police are considering further charges related to the deaths of infants in a second hospital, Liverpool Women’s Hospital, potentially prolonging the review process.
Furthermore, ongoing inquiries, including the Thirlwall inquiry into the deaths attributed to Letby, conclude their hearings in the near future, which may influence the CCRC's approach.
Historically, cases similar to Letby’s have had mixed outcomes when presented for review.
The cases of Ben Geen and Colin Norris, both of whom have sought assistance from the CCRC under analogous circumstances, highlight the challenges faced by appellants in securing new hearings based on expert evidence.
The current legal landscape, public interest, and the complexities entwined in Letby’s case suggest a protracted and intricate journey ahead, with considerable implications for how miscarriages of justice are handled within the British legal system.
Recently, a panel of 14 leading neonatologists and paediatricians concluded that there is 'no medical evidence' supporting the claims of malfeasance related to her convictions.
This development raises questions about the future of her case as it awaits review by the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC).
The CCRC is an independent body in the United Kingdom tasked with investigating potential miscarriages of justice and has the authority to refer cases back to the Court of Appeal for reconsideration.
The CCRC's current review of Letby’s case follows the submission of a 31-page summary report, which is part of a larger dossier expected to be delivered in the coming weeks.
Letby’s convictions were primarily based on the testimonies of a single retired consultant paediatrician.
The new panel of experts asserts that there is a lack of scientific proof regarding the methods she is alleged to have used, including injecting air into the infants' bloodstreams and administering insulin.
Legal representatives for Letby, including barrister Mark McDonald, argue that this evidence is substantial enough to warrant an immediate referral back to the Court of Appeal.
However, timelines for a decision by the CCRC remain unclear.
A source within the CCRC indicated that the review process could take 'years, not months' due to the complexity and volume of the original case materials.
The investigation will be comprehensive, involving a detailed examination of all evidence presented during the trials.
Letby has previously attempted to appeal her conviction, both of which were dismissed by the Court of Appeal in May 2022. This raises questions about whether the higher court will view the new evidence as grounds for reopening her case.
In terms of her immediate future, Lucy Letby remains incarcerated and continues to be viewed as one of the most notorious serial killers in British history.
Any potential discussions around bail are currently hindered by the stance of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), which has indicated it will oppose any such applications, grounded in the previously assessed evidence that led to her convictions.
As the CCRC contemplates Letby’s case, additional factors may further complicate proceedings.
Reports suggest that police are considering further charges related to the deaths of infants in a second hospital, Liverpool Women’s Hospital, potentially prolonging the review process.
Furthermore, ongoing inquiries, including the Thirlwall inquiry into the deaths attributed to Letby, conclude their hearings in the near future, which may influence the CCRC's approach.
Historically, cases similar to Letby’s have had mixed outcomes when presented for review.
The cases of Ben Geen and Colin Norris, both of whom have sought assistance from the CCRC under analogous circumstances, highlight the challenges faced by appellants in securing new hearings based on expert evidence.
The current legal landscape, public interest, and the complexities entwined in Letby’s case suggest a protracted and intricate journey ahead, with considerable implications for how miscarriages of justice are handled within the British legal system.
Comments
Holly Holman 17 days ago
To me her conviction governing from the beginning. Reading the New Yorker article convinced me that the case should be declared a mistrial. It seems that since then the people at the top have been unjustifiably dogmatic in pronouncing her guilty. The fact that they are not willing to allow her a retrial seems suspicious to me, as well as utterly callous. Everyone knows that miscarriages of justice do occur. I can’t help but think they want to protect the doctors, police and legal system from their failures and are willing to condemn a young woman to the hell of prison rather than pursuer the truth. It undermines ALL our trust in this country’s legal system and is thoroughly depressing.
John 18 days ago
I have always thought there was something fishy about this case. I don't believe for one moment that Lucy is guilty at all. She was a dedicated practitioner and had wanted to be a nurse from a very early age.
There is no evidence to say she did anything at all. There is a ton of evidence to say that the hospital was failing and Dr Shoo Lee said himself that if this had happened in his Canada the hospital would have been shut down. Raw sewerage leaking for the ceiling and sinks is hardly going to be safe where new life is concerned, let alone premature babies, who are struggling in the first place.
The Worlds best neonatal experts cannot find ANY evidence of ANY murder happening, so why are people still clinging to the fact that because they saw and edited version of jottings in her journal. She apparently wrote "I killed them" however the press and media conveniently missed out the words "They Think" at the start of that entry, which places a very different meaning on her journal. She was told to write everything down as a form of therapy.
The fact that Dr Evans was retired, not practicing, had not been in a neonatal unit in at least 10 years and did not hold a medical licence at the time of giving evidence, tells you everything you need to know. he saw the money and inserted himself in the case. Who else rings the Police and says "Boyo this sounds like my kind of case" - It is very simple he smelled the money and has been paid millions for a worthless testimony. Judge Jackson who had come across him before even warned Judge Goss that his evidence was worthless. The question should be why didn't judge Goss take note of this ?
The jury were manipulated, they were not medical people, so how one Earth were they supposed to know anything. Not to mention the lying consultant Dr Ravi Jayaram, recently removed for Chester Racecourse promotional literature. who suddenly remembered 18 months later that he said he came in and saw Lucy standing there doing nothing and "almost caught her red handed" - You cannot catch someone almost red handed, you either saw something or you didn't. - Then shock horror the email turns up which shows Lucy calling him for help.
Then there is the supposed "Drawer of Doom" that Dr Stephen Brearey was supposed to have had, yet nobody ever saw. It is obvious Lucy was being bullied, because she spoke out about the the problems with the hospital - She should be released immediately and without delay. it is good that Mark McDonald is pushing this along with many others around the World, including celebrities now keeping this in the public eye. This is a huge miscarriage of justice.
There are echoes of the Post Office Scandal in this, when we will once again will be told "Lessons will be learned", This will never happen again" and "Heads will roll", Will it F*ck it is just time after time after time, again and again and again.
And those who did the finger-pointing ooh no they will never face justice, they're far too important. They should be jailed and have a taste of what Lucy is suffering now - See how they like it !
There is no evidence to say she did anything at all. There is a ton of evidence to say that the hospital was failing and Dr Shoo Lee said himself that if this had happened in his Canada the hospital would have been shut down. Raw sewerage leaking for the ceiling and sinks is hardly going to be safe where new life is concerned, let alone premature babies, who are struggling in the first place.
The Worlds best neonatal experts cannot find ANY evidence of ANY murder happening, so why are people still clinging to the fact that because they saw and edited version of jottings in her journal. She apparently wrote "I killed them" however the press and media conveniently missed out the words "They Think" at the start of that entry, which places a very different meaning on her journal. She was told to write everything down as a form of therapy.
The fact that Dr Evans was retired, not practicing, had not been in a neonatal unit in at least 10 years and did not hold a medical licence at the time of giving evidence, tells you everything you need to know. he saw the money and inserted himself in the case. Who else rings the Police and says "Boyo this sounds like my kind of case" - It is very simple he smelled the money and has been paid millions for a worthless testimony. Judge Jackson who had come across him before even warned Judge Goss that his evidence was worthless. The question should be why didn't judge Goss take note of this ?
The jury were manipulated, they were not medical people, so how one Earth were they supposed to know anything. Not to mention the lying consultant Dr Ravi Jayaram, recently removed for Chester Racecourse promotional literature. who suddenly remembered 18 months later that he said he came in and saw Lucy standing there doing nothing and "almost caught her red handed" - You cannot catch someone almost red handed, you either saw something or you didn't. - Then shock horror the email turns up which shows Lucy calling him for help.
Then there is the supposed "Drawer of Doom" that Dr Stephen Brearey was supposed to have had, yet nobody ever saw. It is obvious Lucy was being bullied, because she spoke out about the the problems with the hospital - She should be released immediately and without delay. it is good that Mark McDonald is pushing this along with many others around the World, including celebrities now keeping this in the public eye. This is a huge miscarriage of justice.
There are echoes of the Post Office Scandal in this, when we will once again will be told "Lessons will be learned", This will never happen again" and "Heads will roll", Will it F*ck it is just time after time after time, again and again and again.
And those who did the finger-pointing ooh no they will never face justice, they're far too important. They should be jailed and have a taste of what Lucy is suffering now - See how they like it !
Julian Bryan 22 days ago
Yes, five babies at the Countess of Chester Hospital died in similar circumstances soon after Lucy Letby was taken off duty.
She was removed from the neonatal unit on 30th June, 2016. Since then:
June 2025 -
Three former senior staff members at the Countess of Chester Hospital were arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter as part of the ongoing investigation.
All is NOT what it seems. Nobody's "pratting around" - except the CCRC, that is.
She was removed from the neonatal unit on 30th June, 2016. Since then:
June 2025 -
Three former senior staff members at the Countess of Chester Hospital were arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter as part of the ongoing investigation.
All is NOT what it seems. Nobody's "pratting around" - except the CCRC, that is.
Angela Hayden 22 days ago
This is a very simple case and I'm not sure why there is so much controversy around it... answer this one question has any more babies in the Neo Natal ward in the Countess Of Chester Hospital died in similar ways to what they did when Lucy was on Duty??? if the Answer is NO there's your answer take Lucy out of the equation and NO BABIES DIE ... there is the Answer!!!!! Stop pratting around ... SHE DID IT... and there is no doubt about that. Stop wasting tax payer money defending a prolific child killer!
Dr William Hallett 25 days ago
It is extraordinary some still cling to the flimsy and ambiguous circumstantial evidence that should never have even been mentioned such as Ms Letby’s confused and self contradictory postit note (see the analysis by Prof Gisli Gudjonsson, forensic psychologist), written in despair after she had been accused and her life ruined by groundless accusations, when all of the medical evidence used against her has been meticulously torn apart by world leading experts. Presumably this evidence, or lack of it, is too challenging for some to understand. As Lord Sumption put it, cases built on such circumstantial inferences are unsafe. Furthermore we now know what really killed those infants, no surprises there, natural causes and bad medical care, just as in all the other maternity/neonatal units where scandals about poor care are currently engulfing the NHS. 3 babies a day die in similar circumstances in the NHS, that is where efforts should be addressed, not demonising and scapegoating a hardworking nurse doing her best for her patients. Shame on us all for being taken in by the utterly implausible or impossible nonsense about injecting air or milk, or insulin, for none of which is there any evidence at all
Julian Bryan 26 days ago
No, she didn't clearly 'ADMIT IT'! Anyone following the case will know that she simply scribbled a patchwork of incoherent thoughts at the advice of her reckless and irresponsible 'counsellor', who advised her to write down anything that came into her head - clearly with complete disregard for the obvious consequences in the predictable event of these notes being found by the police. Anyone following the case will know that her "journal" also proclaimed her innocence, stating - amongst other things - "I have done nothing wrong".
The false belief that these notes are somehow proof of her guilt has been blown apart countless times by experts who understand her state of mind when she wrote them. The constant repetition of these references by people who clearly haven't been following the case in depth, is not only unhelpful but totally wrong on all levels.
The false belief that these notes are somehow proof of her guilt has been blown apart countless times by experts who understand her state of mind when she wrote them. The constant repetition of these references by people who clearly haven't been following the case in depth, is not only unhelpful but totally wrong on all levels.
dawn heaton 28 days ago
I am not a Doctor or Nurse--but just watched the Letby case. I believe she is guilty! She admits it in her journal...I know all of you, who think she is innocence write in your journal from time to time, "I am a murderer"! NO? Yeah, neither would I or even think in those terms. IF there is clear evidence to re-open her case--then do it, but to me--she did do it...SHE ADMITTED IT!
Lyn Marie Dawes 41 days ago
Its looking like the most recent evidence for Operation Duet (Thirwall enquiry) is sadly about to prove her innocence
Babies died when she wasn't on shift, retired out of his depth non specialist Dewi Evans used asmain witnes for prosecution, arrests have now been made for perverting the courts of justice.
Its clear this young woman is innocent of 'Murder' (she never pleaded guilty either) negligence is another matter and she may well be guilty of that alongside others in much higher positions than hers.
The deaths of these babies have been explained medically by a panel of the worlds best Neo natal doctors led by Dr Shoo.
I honestly think someone out there is hoping she will die of an 'accident' in prison - that way they will get away with it and keep their cushty jobs and lifestyles
Poor girl, my heart goes out to her
Her convictions are not safe anymore, but our justice system will drag its feet, as they know it will make multiple organisations look dreadful, well it looks dreadful now, so imagine what happens next..
All the babies died of medical negligence at this hospital
Lets see what happens next.
Babies died when she wasn't on shift, retired out of his depth non specialist Dewi Evans used asmain witnes for prosecution, arrests have now been made for perverting the courts of justice.
Its clear this young woman is innocent of 'Murder' (she never pleaded guilty either) negligence is another matter and she may well be guilty of that alongside others in much higher positions than hers.
The deaths of these babies have been explained medically by a panel of the worlds best Neo natal doctors led by Dr Shoo.
I honestly think someone out there is hoping she will die of an 'accident' in prison - that way they will get away with it and keep their cushty jobs and lifestyles
Poor girl, my heart goes out to her
Her convictions are not safe anymore, but our justice system will drag its feet, as they know it will make multiple organisations look dreadful, well it looks dreadful now, so imagine what happens next..
All the babies died of medical negligence at this hospital
Lets see what happens next.
David McArthur 43 days ago
It is extremely likely that Lucy Letby is entirely innocent. If bystanders (and I am a bystander without any expertise whatsoever) can see this based on expert evidence presented from both sides - evidence in court and from Dr Shoo Lee's expert panel, then why does the archaic system roll on. It is suggested that those institutions responsible for LL's conviction are now protecting their reputations. H. M's. Constabulary, CPS, and the judicial system itself cannot be seen to be so shockingly wrong, people would lose respect. I have news for them, respect was lost long ago. Their response (or lack of) to clear evidence of innocence can only be described as complete and utter corruption. What's new? Authority has always been corrupt and self serving.
After interviewing more than 60 specialists for Reasonable Doubt: Examining The Case Of Lucy Letby, investigative author Christopher Morris raises questions about controversial claims that Letby poisoned the babies with insulin."
"Christopher Morris believes LUCY LETBY HAS BEEN THE VICTIM OF A MISCARRIAGE OF JUSTICE, and that her guilty verdict is not beyond reasonable doubt. He is not the only one.
Ever since the nurse was condemned to fifteen life sentences, highly-regarded professionals in their fields have gone on record to raise concerns about the evidence used to convict her. The science behind how her victims died, the reliance on circumstantial evidence, and the interpretation of the statistics used against Lucy Letby are all being questioned. Controversially, the defence did not call an expert witness to challenge the medical evidence presented by the prosecution. Nobody, except her lawyers, knows why.
In a quest to find out if he is correct, the author has interviewed scores of those experts. He has also pored over the thousands of documents submitted to the Thirlwall Inquiry, which is examining what went wrong at the Countess of Chester Hospital, as well as the transcripts of the trial. He has pulled this vast amount of information together into an engrossing journey through the uncertainties many feel undermine the conviction of Lucy Letby.
The answer matters for us all, as IT RAISES SERIOUS QUESTIONS ABOUT WHETHER OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM REALLY DOES SEEK THE TRUTH."