A nurse has denied murdering eight babies and the attempted murder of 10 others over the period of a year.

Lucy Letby, who worked at the Countess of Chester Hospital neonatal unit, entered her plea at Manchester Crown Court earlier today.

The 31-year-old pleaded “not guilty” 18 times as the charges were put to her over a video link from HMP Peterborough, where she is currently on remand.

She is alleged to have murdered five boys and three girls while working at the hospital in Chester.

Letby, of Arran Avenue, Hereford, is also accused of the attempted murder of five boys and five girls, with all alleged offences committed between June 2015 and June 2016.

Today’s hearing largely dealt with administrative matters and after entering her pleas, she sat listening to the hearing.

Reporting restrictions are in place ahead of a trial, now scheduled for October next year.

Detectives launched an investigation into infant deaths at the hospital in May 2017, looking initially at the deaths of 15 babies between June 2015 and June 2016.

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