Lucy Letby sentencing live updates as serial killer nurse faces entire life in prison

Lucy Letby, now the most prolific child serial killer in modern British history, is expected to be told that she will face the rest of her life behind bars when she is sentenced today. The nurse murdered seven babies and tried to kill six more while working at the Countess of Chester Hospital neonatal unit between 2015-2016.

The serial killer nurse is set to be sentenced today from 10am at Manchester Crown Court, with speculation that she could be handed a rare whole-life order. Only three women have ever previously received whole-life sentences in the UK: serial killers Myra Hindley, Rose West and Joanna Dennehy.

Letby did not appear in the dock for her sentencing, and her parents John and Susan, who have been in regular attendance, are also not present. The former nurse did not appear in court as the final verdicts were passed in the trial last week and indicated she would not return.

Eight of the 11 jury members who convicted Letby returned to the court for the sentencing. There were also dozens of family members of the victims.

Judge Mr Justice Goss said the court has no power to force a defendant to attend a sentencing hearing but a Government source suggested “lawful enforcement” could be used as a last resort to ensure Letby attends if it is considered necessary, reasonable and proportionate. “Lucy Letby should be in court to hear society’s condemnation of the enormity of her crimes, expressed by the judge,” the source told the PA news agency.

On Friday jurors completed their deliberations of 110 hours and 26 minutes – spanning 22 days – following a trial which began last October. The jury of seven women and four men convicted Letby of seven counts of murder and seven counts of attempted murder in relation to six