Lucy Letby, a 33-year-old British nurse, has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for killing seven babies and attempting to murder six others at a UK hospital where she worked. The Manchester Crown Court handed her a whole life order, meaning she will never be released.
The case shocked the country, making Letby Britain’s most prolific recent child serial killer. Despite her absence from the dock, the judge ordered her to spend her life in prison, citing her cruel and calculated actions. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak criticized her absence, while discussions of changing laws to require defendant attendance arose.
Letby attacked babies in her care through various methods, including poisoning them with insulin and overfeeding. The conviction led to a government inquiry into how she went undetected for so long, with hospital management initially dismissing concerns. The judge’s sentence referred to Letby’s lack of remorse and malevolent actions.
