Lucy Letby: Nurse accused of killing eight babies at Chester hospital in court ahead of trial

A nurse accused of murdering eight babies at a Chester hospital has made a further appearance in court ahead of her trial. Lucy Letby, 31, previously pleaded not guilty to the eight murders as well as 10 counts of attempted murder of babies.

At a Manchester Crown Court hearing today, she spoke only to confirm her identity and that she could hear proceedings via a videolink. Letby is currently being held at HMP Bronzefield in Ashford, Surrey.

She is alleged to have gone on a year-long killing spree while working on the neonatal unit of the Countess of Chester Hospital, Chester. Letby, of Arran Avenue, Hereford, denies the murder of five baby boys and three baby girls and the attempted murder of five baby boys and five baby girls, all between June 2015 and June 2016.

READ MORE: Evil predator raped woman in her own bed... her children were lying just feet away

A court order prohibits reporting of the identities of surviving and deceased children allegedly attacked by Letby, and prohibits identifying the parents or witnesses connected with the children.

The parents of two of her alleged victims were sat in the public gallery during today's 45-minute hearing, with more watching via a videolink from Chester Crown Court. Her lawyer Ben Myers QC and the judge Mr Justice Goss discussed legal issues, which cannot be reported.

Letby was remanded back into custody by Mr Justice Goss as the hearing concluded. He told the defendant: “Lucy Letby you will remain in custody where you are presently and there will be another hearing of this case in the early part of June. You will be required to attend, either in person, or over the link; it is a matter that will be considered nearer the time.”

A date of October 4 has been set for Letby’s