Decision not to charge Lucy Letby over alleged harm to more babies upheld

A legal challenge brought by the families of more babies allegedly harmed by serial killer nurse Lucy Letby has failed.

The CPS ruled in January that no new criminal charges would be brought against the convicted child killer over potential offences of attempted murder and murder.

These involved nine children, including two who died, and were rejected by the CPS as the "evidential test was not met".

Six of the families then requested a review of decisions involving their child as part of the Victims' Right to Review scheme.

But on Wednesday the CPS said an "extensive" review by an independent prosecutor had upheld the ruling not to bring further charges.

Letby, 36, from Hereford, is serving 15 whole life terms for the murders of seven babies and attempting to kill seven more at the Countess of Chester Hospital's neonatal unit between June 2015 and June 2016.

She was twice denied permission to appeal against her convictions in 2024.

Malcolm McHaffie, head of the CPS's special crime division, said: "An extensive review of the case by a prosecutor independent of the original decisions, involving a re-examination of substantial evidence and material, has now been completed."

He added that six offences of attempted murder "were reconsidered in relation to six babies, but the review upheld the original decision".

Mr McHaffie then said the CPS "has written to the families involved and will offer meetings to answer any further questions".

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It comes as the Criminal Cases Review Commission, which investigates potential miscarriages of justice, considers evidence presented on Letby's behalf by an international panel of medics who claim poor medical care and natural causes were the reasons for the babies collapsing.

Read more: Why are there calls to suspend Letby inquiry?

A public inquiry into how the neonatal nurse was able to commit her crimes, led by Lady Justice Thirlwall, is due to publish its findings later this year, on a date yet to be announced.

The Thirlwall Inquiry is examining three broad themes: the experiences of all victims' parents, how the concerns of clinicians were handled, and ensuring lessons are learnt from the case.

(c) Sky News 2026: Decision not to charge Lucy Letby over alleged harm to more babies upheld