Lucy Letby, a neonatal nurse at⁤ the⁤ Countess of Chester Hospital, has​ been​ found guilty of⁤ murdering seven babies and attempting to murder six others.

The⁣ jury returned their verdicts after a 10-month ⁢trial at Manchester Crown Court. Letby, 33, showed no emotion as⁣ the verdicts ‌were read.

The prosecution alleged that‍ Letby ⁣injected air into the‌ bloodstream of infants,⁢ overfed them with‍ milk, and deliberately poisoned them with insulin. The ​defence argued⁤ that the babies’ deaths were due to natural causes or ⁢medical mishaps.

The case has​ shocked the nation and raised questions about safety standards⁢ in hospitals. The trial‌ heard harrowing evidence of the suffering of the babies and the devastation‌ inflicted on their families.

“Thes were the most vulnerable ‌victims imaginable,” said prosecutor Nick Johnson ⁤QC during his closing speech. “They were‌ utterly dependent on those responsible for ‌their care. They were betrayed by the⁢ person who was ​entrusted with their lives.”

Letby has ‍been described by‍ her‌ former colleagues as “calm and professional”.But the prosecution argued that she was a “serial child killer” driven by a desire for power and control over the babies in her care.

Outside the⁤ courtroom, a spokesperson for the Countess⁣ of Chester Hospital said: ​“The hospital expresses its deepest sympathies​ to ​the families of the babies who died ⁣in this tragic case. ⁤We are⁤ committed to learning ⁢from this deeply disturbing situation and will ⁣continue to work closely with the police and other agencies to ensure the⁣ safety of our ‌patients.”

Sentencing is due to⁢ take place on Monday. Letby faces life in⁣ prison.

“This is⁤ a day​ of some relief for the families involved,” said Detective Chief Inspector Gareth Davies,⁢ who led the investigation. “They have endured an incredibly long and painful ‍journey. Letby’s actions were horrific,and we hope that today’s verdict will bring ‌them some measure ‍of closure.”