Lucy Letby, 35, is serving 15 whole-life orders after she was convicted of murdering seven infants and attempting to murder seven others between June 2015 and June 2016
Serial killer Lucy Letby has given a five-word response when asked about the prospect of being released from prison as she moans about wasting away behind bars. Letby is serving a whole life order inside HMP Bronzefield, which houses the UK’s most dangerous female prisoners, after being found guilty of murdering seven infants and attempting to murder seven more while working in the neo-natal unit at the Countess of Chester Hospital.
Speaking from inside Houseblock Four where Letby looks set to spend the rest of her life, one inmate told the Mirror that Letby has lost hope of being released from prison after her appeal was dismissed.
Asked if Letby believes she is getting out of prison, the source said: “No, I’ve asked her about that, exactly that, she just says she takes a day at a time, because that’s the only way to get through it. You can’t have hope. I think she has day-at-a-time hope, it’s just enough to get her through, a day at a time.”
Despite her convictions, a team campaigning on Letby’s behalf claim she has suffered a miscarriage of justice and on Tuesday put forward contrasting medical opinions of some of the evidence used in court in a bid to secure a fresh appeal. Our jail insider revealed Letby is “worried” by “how long this is all taking”.
They added: “The last trial was one year long, with zero defence experts, but now they are going to have these 14 people, how long is the trial going to be, what court is going to be able to manage a year-long trial. Meanwhile, she’s 35 years old, she’s in the prime of her life and her life is wasting away.”
The former nurse is said to be spending her days carrying out tasks as part of the jail regime, including making toast in the morning for everyone at breakfast, and doing laundry for all the women on the wing. The source called her “very weird” but added she “will help wherever she can”.
Letby is said to be escorted by a prison officer at all times due to safety concerns after inmates learned of her horrific crimes. But the insider claims its also for other inmates safety, calling her “dangerous”.
The Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) announced on Tuesday that it had received an application on behalf of the former neonatal nurse. The CCRC is an independent body responsible for reviewing suspected and alleged miscarriages of criminal justice in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and can send cases back to the courts.
If a case is referred by the CCRC, it is for the appeal court to decide whether the conviction is unsafe. A CCRC spokesperson said: “We are aware that there has been a great deal of speculation and commentary surrounding Lucy Letby’s case, much of it from parties with only a partial view of the evidence.
“We ask that everyone remembers the families affected by events at the Countess of Chester Hospital between June 2015 and June 2016. We have received a preliminary application in relation to Ms Letby’s case, and work has begun to assess the application. We anticipate further submissions being made to us.”
As part of its processes, the CCRC considers whether, because of new evidence or argument, there is a real possibility that a conviction would not be upheld were the case to be reheard. New evidence or argument refers to that which has not been raised during the trial or on appeal.
The spokeperon added: “It is not for the CCRC to determine innocence or guilt in a case, that’s a matter for the courts. It is for the CCRC to find, investigate and if appropriate, refer potential miscarriages of justice to the appellate courts when new evidence or new argument means there is a real possibility that a conviction will not be upheld, or a sentence reduced.”
