Lucy Letby: Nurse accused of murdering babies ‘wrote note saying “I killed them on purpose”’

Neo-natal nurse Lucy Letby cried as images of her bedroom were shown to jurors during trial

Lucy Letby denies murdering seven babies and attempting to murder 10 others (Chester Standard/SWNS)

A nurse accused of multiple murders of babies wept in the dock as photographs of her bedroom were shown in court.

Lucy Letby cried as the images were displayed during her trial at Manchester Crown Court. Jurors heard that a number of Post-it notes were found in her diary, including one saying “I am evil I did this”.

The 33 year-old was first arrested in July 2018 on suspicion of attacking infants in her care – two years after she worked her last shift at the Countess of Chester Hospital’s neo-natal unit.

Letby was moved by health chiefs to the hospital’s risk and patient safety office after consultants raised concerns about her “common link” to numerous collapses of patients at the unit.

She denies murdering seven babies and attempting to murder 10 others between June 2015 and June 2016.

On Monday, jurors were told the defendant was first arrested at her three-bedroom property in Westbourne Road, Chester, at 6am on 3 July 2018.

A distressed Letby wiped away tears as photographs of her bedroom – taken by a crime scene investigator – appeared on screen in court.

On the bedroom walls there were two framed pictures containing the slogans, “Shine Like A Diamond” and “Leave Sparkles Wherever You Go”.

Among items on the floor were a red suitcase, a large burgundy handbag and a small black handbag, the court heard.

Court artist sketch of Letby appearing in the dock at Manchester Crown Court (PA Archive)

Philip Astbury, prosecutor, said three handwritten notes were recovered by police from one of the handbags.

The notes contained closely written words that filled the pages and included declarations of love for a colleague, who cannot be identified for legal reasons. Next to his name was “I loved you” and “my best friend”.

Also contained in the notes were the words “Help Me”, “I Can’t Do This Any More” and “How Can Life Be This Way”.

Jurors were told that a 2016 diary was recovered from a chest of drawers.

A reference to “twins” was recorded for 8 April, the date of birth for two twin boys the Crown say Letby attempted to murder. On 9 April, a note stating “twin resus” was made.

Further entries on 23, 24 and 25 June included initial letters that the Crown say related to three other babies, including two triplet boys, that Letby allegedly attacked on those dates.

Countess of Chester Hospital’s neonatal unit where Letby is accused of attacking infants (Cheshire Constabulary/CPS/PA)

Mr Astbury said a green Post-it note, shown to jurors at the start of Letby’s trial, was found inside the diary.

Part of the note read: “I don’t deserve to live. I killed them on purpose because I’m not good enough to care for them”, “I am a horrible evil person” and in capital letters: “I am evil I did this”.

In his opening speech, Ben Myers KC, defending, told jurors the Post-it note was the “anguished outpouring of a young woman”.

He added Letby was at the time “in fear and despair when she realises the enormity of what’s being said about her, in the moment, to herself”.

Searches also took place on 3 July 2018 at Letby’s parents’ home in Hereford and at the defendant’s workplace at the hospital’s risk and patient safety office.

Letby was re-arrested at her parents’ home on 10 June 2019 and 11 November 2020, the court heard. Letby denies all the allegations.

The trial continues.