Nurse in court over murder of eight babies
A NURSE accused of murdering eight babies has made a further court appearance ahead of her trial.
Lucy Letby, 32, denies the killings and 10 attempted murders of babies during an alleged 12-month spree while she worked on the neonatal unit of the Countess of Chester Hospital, Cheshire.
She spoke only to confirm her identity during the 50-minute hearing, with her appearing via video link from a room at HMP Bronzefield in Ashford, Surrey.
A video link to Chester Crown Court showed around a dozen family members of alleged victims listening to the proceedings - with judge Mr Justice Goss appearing via a transmission from Nottingham Crown Court.
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Letby, from Hereford, is accused of the murder of five boys and three girls plus the attempted murder of five boys and five girls, between June 2015 and June 2016. A court order prohibits reporting of the identities of surviving and deceased children of the alleged attacks.
It also prohibits identifying the parents or any witnesses connected with the youngsters.
Yesterday's hearing dealt with arrangements ahead of Letby's trial at Manchester Crown Court, which is due to start on October 4 and scheduled to last six months.
Two further pre-trial dates were fixed for April and June or July - with Mr Justice Goss remanding Letby in custody.