THE judge in the Lucy Letby trial has given a majority verdict direction to the deliberating jury.

Shortly before 3pm on Tuesday, August 8, trial judge Mr Justice James Goss told the 11 remaining jurors that he would now accept a majority verdict from them.

That means if 10 out of the 11 jurors agree on a verdict, that will now be accepted. Previously, the jury had to be unanimous on all counts.

Previously, at the end of Thursday, August 3, trial judge Mr Justice James Goss said "for good personal reasons", it was "not possible" for one of the original 12 jurors to continue. The trial judge thanked the juror for their attendance during the trial over the past 10 months, and he was sorry they were unable to continue.

The judge told the jurors they should still strive to reach a unanimous verdict, but a verdict of 10-1 would be acceptable. He added: "Nothing else will do" in relation to verdicts.

Letby, 33, denies murdering seven babies at the Countess of Chester Hospital neonatal unit and attempting to murder 10 more.

After nine months of hearing evidence, the jurors had retired to consider verdicts on the 22 charges Letby faces on Monday, July 10.

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.

The jury of seven women and four men has been deliberating for just over 76 hours.

The Standard will continue to provide news on any developments from court.