Prosecutors have definitively ruled out bringing any further criminal charges against convicted child killer nurse Lucy Letby, following a comprehensive review of additional evidence concerning infant deaths and non-fatal collapses at two separate hospital trusts.
Evidential Threshold Not Met in Nine Cases
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) announced on Tuesday that after a meticulous examination of a substantial file of evidence submitted by Cheshire Constabulary in July 2025, the legal test for prosecution could not be satisfied. The evidence related to nine potential offences across two hospitals.
Scope of the Investigation
The fresh allegations under scrutiny encompassed:
- Eight potential offences of attempted murder and one offence of murder at the Countess of Chester Hospital.
- Two further allegations—one of murder and one of attempted murder—linked to a single infant at Liverpool Women’s Hospital.
In total, the CPS considered charges relating to two infants who died and seven infants who survived collapses. Frank Ferguson, head of the CPS's Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, stated unequivocally that the evidential threshold required for a realistic prospect of conviction was not met in any of these cases.
Independent Decision-Making Process
Mr. Ferguson emphasised the independence and rigour of the prosecutorial process. "This decision was made independently, based solely on the evidence and in strict accordance with our legal test," he said. The CPS has initiated contact with the families affected by this latest development, offering detailed meetings to explain the rationale behind the decision not to proceed.
"Our thoughts remain with them," Mr. Ferguson added, acknowledging the profound and ongoing impact on the bereaved families and those whose children survived the incidents under investigation.
Context of the Case
Lucy Letby, 36, is already serving a whole life order after being convicted in a previous trial for the murders of seven babies and the attempted murders of six others at the Countess of Chester Hospital's neonatal unit. This latest announcement closes a specific chapter in the wider police investigation, which had continued to examine other potentially suspicious incidents.
The decision underscores the challenging nature of gathering sufficient evidence to meet the high bar required for criminal prosecution in complex medical and historical cases, even where grave suspicions may persist.
