Coroner opens inquest into five babies murdered by Lucy Letby

"A coroner has formally opened inquests into the deaths of five newborn babies Lucy Letby was convicted of murdering. In a 20-minute hearing at Cheshire coroner's court, the senior coroner Jacqueline Devonish heard brief details of the deaths before adjourning proceedings until September. DI Darren Reid of the coroner's office, said an inquest was requested into the deaths of babies known as C, E, I, O and P as there was reason to suspect an unnatural death at the Countess of Chester hospital."

"Letby, 36, is serving 15 whole-life prison terms after being convicted of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven others in the year to June 2016. The former neonatal nurse, from Hereford, has insisted she is innocent and that babies died or became seriously unwell as a result of poor care and understaffing. Under the Coroners and Justice Act 2009, the outcome of a coroner's inquest must not be inconsistent with a murder conviction in criminal proceedings."

"At a hearing in Warrington last week, Letby's barrister, Mark McDonald, said the law meant the inquests were not the forum to re-litigate the convictions. However, he said it was important for the coroner to understand how each baby died and that there were systemic failings at the hospital. Richard Baker KC, representing a number of the bereaved families, told the hearing last week the inquests must not be used as a collateral attack on the convictions."

Five inquests were formally opened into the deaths of newborns designated C, E, I, O and P at the Countess of Chester hospital and were adjourned until September and later until the outcome of a public inquiry. DI Darren Reid said there was reason to suspect unnatural deaths. Lucy Letby is serving 15 whole-life terms after convictions for seven murders and seven attempted murders in the year to June 2016, and she maintains innocence citing poor care and understaffing. Legal guidance prevents coroner findings from contradicting criminal convictions, and the coroner indicated verdicts can be revisited only if an appeal succeeds.

Read at www.theguardian.com