THE jury in the trial of nurse Lucy Letby, who denies murdering seven babies at the Countess of Chester Hospital neonatal unit and attempting to murder 10 more, has retired to consider verdicts.

Nine months to the day since the eight women and four men who make up the 12 jurors first started hearing evidence in the trial at Manchester Crown Court, they must now consider verdicts on the 22 charges Letby faces.

The 22 charges are seven of murder, and 15 of attempted murder, which the prosecution allege happened at the neonatal unit between June 2015 and June 2016.

On Monday, July 10, trial judge Mr Justice James Goss closed his summing up of the case, which had lasted more than four days, following closing speeches by the prosecution and defence.

Closing the speech, having given legal directions, the judge said jurors had to be sure of the 33-year-old defendant's guilt, taking into account her character, and any inconsistencies in the evidence given by the defendant and any witnesses.

He added if jurors are sure that two babies - Child F and Child L - had insulin administered to them, deliberately, they have to consider whether that was a coincidence, or whether it was done by one person, and if so, who.

He says there were 'certain common features' among the cases, which the prosecution had collated in a list. The prosecution said these were not unconnected events, adding the insulin, air embolus and post-mortem findings can make the jury sure of Letby's guilt.

Letby, originally from Hereford, denies doing any harm to any baby, and the searches and keeping of confidential documents had nothing sinister, and the defence say the jury cannot be sure in any event of Letby's guilt.

The defence added she was a “hard-working, dedicated and caring” nurse who loved her job.

Trial judge Mr Justice Goss has told the jury of eight women and four men to approach their deliberations in a “fair, calm, objective and analytical way”.

He told them to cast aside emotion or any feelings of sympathy or antipathy.

Mr Justice Goss added: “You are under no pressure with time.”

As the jury was sent out, the judge said that verdicts should be unanimous on each count. He added that if, after a certain length of time, jurors are unable to agree unanimous verdicts, then they will be brought back to court and further directions will be given.