Cheshire Police have expressed disappointment over the decision not to press further charges against Lucy Letby, the former nurse currently serving 15 whole-life sentences for the horrific murders of seven babies. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) received substantial evidence last year regarding eight additional alleged attempted murders and one alleged murder tied to Letby, all at Countess of Chester Hospital. In their review, the CPS decided not to proceed with these charges, stating the evidential threshold wasn’t met.
The CPS assured they reached this decision independently, based solely on the evidence. They’ve communicated directly with the affected families to explain their decision, extending offers to meet and discuss further. Meanwhile, Cheshire Police have publicly voiced their disapproval, having expected a different outcome from their investigation, and emphasized the importance of respecting the families involved.
Adding more complexity, a campaign group supporting Letby is pushing to overturn her convictions through the Criminal Cases Review Commission. The group’s legal representatives argue that Letby has consistently declared her innocence and call for urgent referral to the Court of Appeal. With 31 comprehensive reports penned by 26 international experts, they claim to provide compelling evidence that no murders occurred.
Letby, hailing from Hereford, has twice tried unsuccessfully to challenge her convictions in the Court of Appeal. While some see the CPS decision as a positive turn, it’s crucial to remember the families affected by these tragedies and respect their privacy during this challenging time.