In a chilling case that has sent shockwaves through the UK medical community, nurse Lucy Letby has been sentenced to life in prison for her role as the country's most prolific child serial killer in modern times.
The 33-year-old was found guilty of the murder of seven babies and the attempted murder of six other infants while working at the Countess of Chester Hospital.
During her trial, the court heard disturbing details of Letby's deliberate actions, which included injecting babies with air, force-feeding them milk, and even poisoning two infants with insulin.
The scale and brutality of her crimes were described by prosecutors as "truly horrific."
Letby, who had previously worked in the neonatal unit of the hospital, refused to appear in the dock for her sentencing hearing.
The presiding judge, Mr. Justice Goss, denounced her actions as a gross betrayal of the trust that society places in medical professionals.
He stated that Letby's actions were "completely contrary to the normal human instincts of nurturing and caring for babies."
The sentence handed down to Letby is a whole-life order, making her only the fourth woman in UK history to receive such a severe punishment.
Whole-life orders are reserved for individuals who commit the most heinous crimes and are intended to ensure that the perpetrators remain behind bars for the rest of their lives.
Mr. Justice Goss emphasized the "cruelty and calculation" exhibited by Letby and noted that her actions had shaken the public's faith in the medical and caring professions.
The sentencing serves as a reminder of the importance of safeguarding the vulnerable and upholding the highest standards of care within healthcare institutions.