Lucy Letby: Appeal bid to be heard in April
By Clare Gooch
It has been reported that Letby’s bid to appeal all of her criminal convictions will be heard in Court in April. Letby’s case will be heard by a panel of Judges in a public hearing.
Letby was convicted of 7 seven baby murders and 6 attempted baby murders in summer 2023 and sentenced to life imprisonment in all counts in August 2023. Following her conviction, Letby lodged an appeal, which was turned down by a single judge reviewing her case papers.
Letby appealed this decision within 14 days and is now entitled to a full court hearing, set for 25 April, 2024 before three judges, at which her barrister will argue for the right to an appeal.
If she is granted permission, an appeal hearing will be set by the court for a separate date.
If she loses, it will be the end of the appeal process for her.
The crimes for which Letby was convicted caused public outrage, with many questions unanswered as to how these crimes were able to happen. An independent inquiry was considered. However, following Letby’s sentence on 21 August, there was much speculation as to whether an Independent Inquiry would be adequate enough to provide the answers to the questions that so many have, in particular the families directly impacted by her actions. It was agreed that a Public Inquiry was needed.
Operation Hummingbird, a police investigation, identified a further 4000 families that may have been affected by care provided at the Hospital Trusts where Letby worked. It is not clear whether all of these families were directly treated by Letby but it was clear from the investigation that a public inquiry should be authorised.
A Public Inquiry was opened and is now led by Lady Justice Thirlwall, who is determined to seek answers as to why Letby was able to the commit the crimes she did. It is reported that the Public Inquiry hearings will take place in autumn 2024.
At Switalskis, we hope that the Inquiry will demonstrate honesty and co-operation from not only the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust but the wider NHS group and ultimately result in the Trusts taking some accountability for any issues that are identified.
We understand how difficult this inquiry will be and we continue to support the families we currently represent through the inquiry and with their civil claims.
Contact our specialist medical negligence lawyers on 0800 138 0458 or email: help@switalskis.com.
Clare has worked in Medical Negligence for over 10 years. She’s a Senior Associate Solicitor in our Medical Negligence team based in Switalskis’ London office.
