Stepping Hill hospital deaths: Nurse Victorino Chua appears in court charged with murder

Chua spoke only to confirm his name, age and address

Victorino Chua, 48, was held last year on suspicion of tampering with medical records at Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport (PA)

A nurse has appeared in court accused of the murder of three people.

Victorino Chua, 48, spoke only to confirm his name, age and address for the three minute hearing at Manchester Magistrates' Court.

He was charged following a lengthy investigation by police at Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport.

Chua also faces 22 counts of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent, seven charges of attempting to administer poison and one count of causing poison to be administered with intent, under the Offences Against the Person Act.

Chua, was held last year on suspicion of tampering with medical records at Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport.

He was questioned on suspicion of three counts of murder and various counts of causing grievous bodily harm.

Police are carrying out an investigation into the contamination of various medical products between 1 June and 15 July 15, 2011 at the hospital.

Eight patients who were poisoned by contaminated products later died.

They were Tracey Arden, 44, Arnold Lancaster, 71, Derek Weaver, 83, William Dickson, 82, Linda McDonagh, 60, John Beeley, 73, Beryl Hope, 70, and Mary Cartwright, 89.

Chua is charged with murder over the deaths of Ms Arden, Mr Lancaster and Mr Weaver.

He was remanded into custody to appear at Manchester Crown Court next Tuesday.

Additional reporting by PA