Lucy Letby told pal she was ‘back with a bang’ – before ‘murdering baby on her first shift back from Ibiza holiday’
A NURSE told a pal she was “back with a bang” before murdering a baby on her first shift back from holiday, a court heard today.
Lucy Letby, 33, allegedly killed Child O by injecting the triplet with a lethal dose of air and inflicting trauma to the triplet’s liver.
Jurors were told she had returned to Countess of Chester Hospital after a week’s holiday to Ibiza with two friends that day.
Discussing coming back to work, she messaged a colleague that she would “probably be back in with a bang lol”.
Letby told Manchester Crown Court the text was in reference to what would be a “busy shift”.
When asked by Ben Myers KC, defending, whether it indicated she was planning something “dramatic and terrible”, the nurse replied: “No”.
The court was told Child O died on June 23, 2016, after a number of collapses while on the neonatal ward.
Letby had been present during the final resuscitation bid but claims she did not perform any CPR.
A post mortem later revealed the newborn had suffered an injury to his liver.
Giving evidence, Letby said there is a “complete change in atmosphere” when a baby cannot be revived.
Asked how it feels, she added: “To me personally? It’s devastating. You want to be able to save every baby in your care.
“You are not supposed to watch a baby die.”
Letby allegedly embarked on a year-long killing spree while working on the neonatal ward at the Countess of Chester Hospital.
The court heard previously she was a “constant malevolent presence” on the neonatal ward.
Letby is accused of murdering seven babies and attempting to kill ten others between June 2015 and June 2016.
It’s claimed some of the newborns were repeatedly targeted by the nurse – including one baby Letby is alleged to have killed after three previous failed attempts.
Consultants at the hospital grew suspicious of the “significant rise” in the number of babies dying or suffering “catastrophic” collapses.
Letby denies all 22 charges, which are said to have taken place between June 2015 and June 2016.
A court order prohibits identifying the surviving and deceased children and prohibits identifying parents or witnesses connected with the babies.
The trial continues.