Lucy Letby has had a bid to challenge a conviction for the attempted murder of a baby girl dismissed by the Court of Appeal.
The 34-year-old was seeking approval to challenge her most recent conviction for trying to kill the newborn, known as Child K, after being found guilty following a retrial in July.
However, three senior judges dismissed Letby’s bid following a hearing in London.
Letby, formerly of Hereford, had been previously sentenced to 14 whole life orders after being found guilty at her first trial of the murders of seven babies and the attempted murders of six others, with two attempts on one child.
Earlier today, lawyers for the former nurse told the Court of Appeal that the attempted murder charge should have been “stayed” as an “abuse of process” due to “overwhelming and irremediable prejudice” caused by media coverage of her first trial, and that the retrial should not have gone ahead.
However, Lord Justice William Davis, sitting with Lord Justice Jeremy Baker and Justice McGowan, said at the start of their ruling that they would “refuse permission” for Letby to challenge the conviction.
Today’s ruling marks Letby’s second appeal bid to be thrown out, after the Court of Appeal dismissed a challenge against her first set of convictions in May.
Letby, who watched the hearing via a video link from HMP Bronzefield wearing a green dress, showed no reaction as the judges gave their ruling.
Lucy Letby
CHESTER STANDARD
