Drug barons

BIG BILL | Major Kinahan Cartel blow as UK drug baron arrested before paying up €20m debt

Louis James Edwards (44 ) had run up a massive bill with the Kinahan organisation, who were supplying him with cocaine

Sean McGovern

Sean McGovern

UK drug baron Louis James Edwards as he was taken into custody in Spain

UK drug baron Louis James Edwards as he was taken into custody in Spain

Major drug suspect Louis James Edwards is arrested at a Benidorm hotel on June 21

Major drug suspect Louis James Edwards is arrested at a Benidorm hotel on June 21

Major drug suspect Louis James Edwards is arrested at a Benidorm hotel on June 21

Major drug suspect Louis James Edwards is arrested at a Benidorm hotel on June 21

Guardia Civil officers arrest Edwards, who was one of the UK’s most wanted men

Guardia Civil officers arrest Edwards, who was one of the UK’s most wanted men

Liam Byrne

Liam Byrne

Sean McGovern

Sean McGovern

UK drug baron Louis James Edwards as he was taken into custody in Spain

UK drug baron Louis James Edwards as he was taken into custody in Spain

Nicola Tallant

Sunday World

Tue 9 Aug 2022 at 21:35

A UK drug baron arrested in Spain last month owed a €20m debt to Irish mob boss Daniel Kinahan and will now not be able to pay up.

Suspected drug baron Louis James Edwards, 44, was described as one of the most wanted men in the UK when he was nabbed at a hotel in Benidorm in June.

But it has since emerged he had run up a massive bill with the Kinahan organisation, who were supplying him with cocaine and which he in turn was distributing throughout southern England.

Edwards was listed as one of Crimestoppers most-wanted crooks and was filmed as he was led away by armed Guardia Civil officers through a public square following the police blitz on the hotel.

Major drug suspect Louis James Edwards is arrested at a Benidorm hotel on June 21

Major drug suspect Louis James Edwards is arrested at a Benidorm hotel on June 21

In custody and with his assets being monitored, Edwards now has no way of paying the Kinahans back their money – in what is a huge blow to the under-fire organisation as it currently scrambles to call in its debts.

A series of major drug seizures in the UK have also hit the sanctioned cartel in the pocket as a united police effort continues to chip away at the billion-dollar drug mob.

It is understood that the intelligence-led operations, including the arrest of Edwards, are a direct result of the information lines which have been opened for informants to give up details of Christy Kinahan Snr and his sons, Christopher Jnr and Daniel, and their business dealings.

Spanish police said their initial investigation into Edwards began in Malaga on the Costa del Sol, but agents on his trail followed him to Alicante on Spain’s east coast.

Major drug suspect Louis James Edwards is arrested at a Benidorm hotel on June 21

Major drug suspect Louis James Edwards is arrested at a Benidorm hotel on June 21

Working with the National Crime Agency (NCA) in the UK, Guardia Civil officers nabbed Edwards when they followed a relative of his who had come to visit the area and led them to the Benidorm Hotel where he was arrested.

While the Kinahan organisation would have at one point been able to deal with a €20m debt write-off, they no longer can manage to lose such vast sums of money.

Raid after raid on premises and known associates of the cartel have led to seizures of drugs and cash across Ireland and the UK.

While the top command of the organisation have tried to reassure business associates that they are liquid and that their billions are safely out of reach, the constant rounds of raids and seizures have been pounding them financially.

Paranoia is also at its peak – and the Kinahans believe they have been infiltrated by an undercover agent or customs spy who has been feeding information into a massive money-laundering investigation.

Liam Byrne

Liam Byrne

It is understood the takedown of the Kinahan organisation will be a blueprint going forward for dismantling other cartels, many of which survive despite the arrest of a kingpin.

US and European authorities, along with their international partners, have been years planning the Kinahans’ demise and have deep tentacles into their entire corporate structure.

“This is undoubtedly a first in a method of taking down a cartel,” said a source.

“This isn’t all about only going for those at the top, but it is also about killing off what’s in the middle.

“It’s a well-thought-out and structured plan to dig out all the roots of this organisation and leave nothing behind.

“As they grew and continued to expand, the authorities were watching all the way and this will all come out in the near future as we move into the final stage of this process,” the source added.

“The corporate structure is suffering because it has a huge payroll and is made up of a lot of moving parts which all need to be functioning properly.

“The constant losses, arrests and raids may seem small fry to the larger picture – but it isn’t.

“Each kick and punch is another blow to the giant.

“From a law-enforcement point of view, this has been a slow and steady process and the Kinahan Organisation is well on its way to financial collapse.”

Sean McGovern

Sean McGovern

In Dubai, police have yet to move in on the Kinahans and their associates.

Some underworld sources suggest that Daniel Kinahan is already gone from the Emirates and is now bedded down in Oman.

However, others claim that he, his father and brother remain in the Emirates hoping to continue to enjoy the safe haven where they have established themselves for years.

A number of reports from Dubai claim that Daniel Kinahan has even been spotted out and about looking increasingly stressed and balding.

Liam Byrne, the brother of Regency Hotel victim David, visited Dubai in the weeks following the sanctions but is spending his summer on the island of Ibiza, where he has property and business interests.

Officers have yet to move in on Sean McGovern despite an arrest warrant issued for him last April for the murder of Noel ‘Duck Egg’ 

Dr spots x-ray

Neonatologist and consultant paediatrician Dr Sandie Brohin was brought in as a witness in Lucy Letby's trial and studied x-rays after discovering accounts of babies crying for as long as 30 minutes

The doctor's evidence helped snare Lucy Letby

An expert witness helped lock up evil serial killer Lucy Letby when a review of cases of baby deaths found accounts of premature babies “screaming in pain for 30 minutes”.

Neonatologist and consultant paediatrician Dr Sandie Brohin examined the evidence of infant mortalities at the Countess of Chester Hospital when she was brought in as a witness for the prosecution in Letby's trial. Studying X-rays, the paediatrician spotted air bubbles, known as embolisms, in images of the babies' blood vessels.

'I thought, 'It can't be'. I'd never seen anything like that in my career... but nothing else explained it,' she said. 'The X-rays were in front of me, several of them, all showing air in the babies' vessels. That's when I thought, 'No, it has to be, and it has to be deliberate'.'

The grim reality was that each baby was effectively suffering a heart attack after Letby injected air into their bloodstream or stomach, causing lethal bubbles.

The doctor also knew that it was unusual for premature babies to cry for any long period. When looking at accounts from the hospital ward she found nurses describing “babies screaming for up to 30 minutes. She described the accounts as “unheard of”.

Letby will die in jail after being convicted of murdering seven babies and attempting to kill six others while working as a neonatal nurse at the Countess of Chester hospital. Her campaign of terror took place over a two-year period between 2015 and 2016.

Speaking to the Sunday Times Dr Brohin revealed the heartbreaking accounts of babies in distress could only be the result of “extreme pain” being inflicted upon them.

She said: “Babies will cry if they are in pain, obviously, such as when you take blood or put in a drip.

“That hurts, and there’s no getting away from it. But to have a premature baby screaming is really unusual.

“What was described on the ward was babies screaming for up to 30 minutes. Now that is just unheard of. Somebody had done something to cause those babies 

Earlier this week it was reported her crimes went unreported for so long as she was never actually seen harming the babies. Jurors heard how she covered her tracks by targeting babies with other health problems in order to make the deaths seem plausible. Some were extremely premature while others had inherited conditions.

With her smiling face and jolly demeanour, Letby couldn't have looked less like a brutal killer. Most of the murders took place at night when the babies' parents weren't around and the mode of killing was always subtle - air injected into intravenous long lines, insulin added to bags of nutrients, overfeeding.

But one night her evil crimes were almost exposed when she was very nearly caught in the act.

Five day old twin boys, known as Child E and Child F, had arrived in the unit after being born 11 weeks premature. At around 9pm on August 3, 2015, their mother arrived with expressed milk for her children and heard a 'horrendous' scream that echoed along the corridor. She ran into nursery one - the nursery for the most poorly babies - and saw Letby standing near Child E's incubator. Her baby had blood around his mouth and was in a state of extreme 

Lucy Letby

Inside rumours Lucy Letby suffered 'slash wounds and boiled water prison attack'

Rumours have been circulating concerning the killer nurse's time at at HMP Low Newton

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ByJulia BanimAnnabal BagdiSenior reporter

13:59, 1 SEP 2023

Couple who wanted Lucy Letby to be baby's godmother say truth is 'sickening'

Couple who wanted Lucy Letby to be baby's godmother say truth is 'sickening'

Rumours killer nurse Lucy Letby has suffered a brutal attack in prison are circulating online. There are a number of unsubstantiated reports that the 33-year-old has been the subject of an attack by fellow inmates while at HMP Low Newton.

Multiple social media posts have been shared, seemingly appearing as though they are news articles. The posts have been liked tens of thousands of times, despite being flagged as 'false information' on social media sites.

Details of Letby's supposed injuries have also been shared, with one person falsely claiming it had been 'officially validated' that she 'now suffers from partial loss of vision in her left eye'. They also claimed she had a 'non-life-threatening cut on her neck'.

But a team of independent fact-checkers from Full Fact have since analysed the posts, MirrorOnline reports. Posts read: "BREAKING NEWS Baby killer Lucy Letby has been attacked in Prison. Reports suggest she's been rushed to an outside hospital. in a critical condition after being slashed and boiled kettle water with sugar chucked in her face [sic]."

Full Fact said it was not uncommon for misinformation to spread when it comes to high-profile criminals. Similar rumours were shared about Sarah Everard's murderer Wayne Couzens, as well as Thomas Hughes - the dad of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes.

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A report from Full Fact claims the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) has confirmed the Facebook posts online about baby killer Letby are not true. When contacted by the Mirror, the MOJ declined to comment.

Experts believe Letby will be on suicide watch for months and it will be some time before she is integrated with her fellow prisoners. There is reportedly a high risk the former nurse will be targeted by other dangerous prisoners.

Lucy Letby expert says calling her a 'monster' is dangerous

Lucy Letby expert says calling her a 'monster' is dangerous

Inside rumours Lucy Letby suffered 'slash wounds and boiled water prison attack'

Inside rumours 

COMMENTS

Lucy Letby expert says calling her a 'monster' is dangerous

Lucy Letby expert says calling her a 'monster' is dangerous

Inside rumours Lucy Letby suffered 'slash wounds and boiled water prison attack'

Inside rumours Lucy Letby suffered 'slash wounds and boiled water prison attack'

Professor Yvonne Jewkes, professor of criminology at the University of Bath, told the Telegraph: "She'll associate mostly with prison officers, her key worker in the prison, and one or two cleaners, but much of that interaction will be through the hatch in her cell door." Chartered security professional James Bore said it is 'extremely unlikely' Letby will be permitted to attend her own parents' funerals when the time comes despite some prisoners getting certain privileges

Mr Bore, the director of family consultancy Bores, told the Mirror: "Any day release for parents' funerals, or anything else, would be based on a risk assessment. I find it extremely unlikely that any sort of temporary release would be granted - for her own safety as much as anything else.

"Currently, she's being segregated within Low Newton, again to prevent her from being attacked. Social media rumours saying that she's been attacked already 

HMP Woodhill

HMP Woodhill: Call for emergency measures at 'unsafe' prison

By Neve Gordon-Farleigh & Flora Thompson

BBC News & PA Media

1 September 2023, 01:29 BST

Updated 2 hours ago

Woodhill Prison

Image caption,

The prison in Milton Keynes was found to have "chronic" staff shortages and a high rate of attacks on staff

Inspectors have called for the high-security jail HMP Woodhill to be put into emergency measures amid attacks on officers and "chronic" staff shortages.

The prison, in Milton Keynes, was deemed to be "fundamentally unsafe" following an inspection in August.

Charlie Taylor, the chief inspector of prisons, has contacted Justice Secretary Alex Chalk to issue an urgent notification for improvement.

The prisons minister said there was an "urgent need for improvement".

Woodhill holds about 500 male Category A offenders, including Charles Bronson, and was said to have the "highest rate of serious assaults in England and Wales" on staff, with "bullying and intimidation by prisoners to be commonplace".

Low morale meant many staff had "voted with their feet", with more officers leaving than joining, and with "no indication that the situation would improve", the watchdog said.

'Urgent support needed'

In August, the BBC reported the jail was on a recruitment drive for new officers, with previous inspections also highlighting a lack of staff at the site.

Chelsea Lee, deputy head of residence, said it took "a certain kind of person" to be a prison officer.

"Sometimes we have bad days. There can be high frustrations working in this kind of custodial environment," she said.

"There could be multiple incidents throughout the day and it's quite high stress levels for the officer.

HMP Woodhill has been trying to recruit more prison officers for a long time

Mr Taylor expressed concern that a "complex, high-risk" prison like Woodhill could not "operate effectively with such chronic staff shortages".

"Urgent support is needed from HMPPS [His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service] to help Woodhill and other establishments to develop credible, long-term plans that improve staff recruitment, and, crucially, staff retention," he said.

Prisons Minister Damian Hinds said: "The findings of this report demonstrate the urgent need for improvement at HMP Woodhill and we will be working closely and quickly with the prison to set out how it can address these issues."

He said the prison service was "working hard to recruit and retain staff", including increasing starting salaries for prison officers and recruiting more staff

In previous inspections, staff shortages and retainment had also been labelled a "considerable concern" at HMP Woodhill

The inspector's report also found high levels of violence and drugs at the jail, with the rate of self-harm among inmates the highest in the country for men's prisons.

Twenty-six offenders were found to be "self isolating" in cells in fear of their own safety, while staff shortages meant education classes and work had been cancelled for inmates, leaving them "frustrated".

The watchdog said without significantly improving staffing levels, "it was not clear how the jail will improve".

Charles Bronson is one of the Category A prisoners based at HMP Woodhill

Pia Sinha, chief executive of the Prison Reform Trust, branded the report "shocking", adding: "After repeated warnings, it is extremely disappointing that the prison now finds itself in this position.

"Ministers urgently need to get a grip on what has gone wrong."

3 more babies die

Nurse Arrested at Children's Hospital Amid Allegations of Baby Poisoning and Probe into Three Deaths

In a shocking turn of events, a nurse has been arrested at a prominent children's hospital following allegations that she poisoned a baby, while police simultaneously investigate three deaths that occurred under suspicious circumstances.According to reports from mirror, Monday, August 28,2023.The incidents have rocked the Birmingham Children's Hospital, raising concerns about patient safety and the integrity of the medical profession.

The nurse was employed by Birmingham Children's Hospital in the city's center (Photo: PA).

The first case that drew attention involved a child admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit at Birmingham Children's Hospital. Tragically, the child's life was cut short "suddenly and unexpectedly," as revealed by newly disclosed documents. This incident prompted a thorough investigation led by medical professionals into this and two other unrelated tragedies at the same hospital.

Executives at the Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust took the initiative to launch an internal probe into "child deaths and sudden collapses." The urgency escalated when one young patient rapidly deteriorated and passed away on May 18, 2022, just a day after their admission. Following the grim development, a nurse was immediately suspended from her duties, and West Midland Police subsequently arrested her at her residence. The arrest was based on suspicion of intentionally administering a poison with the intent to endanger life.

Although the nurse has been taken into custody in connection with one particular incident, there have been other concerning cases at the hospital. Some of these incidents date back as far as January of the previous year, as reported by Birmingham Live. Despite these additional cases, the nurse in question has not been formally arrested in connection with them.

Dr. Fiona Reynolds, the chief medical officer at Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust, voiced her unwavering commitment to patient safety. In a statement published by the Sunday Times, she explained the hospital's swift response to the distressing situation. "The Trust immediately followed the standard safeguarding protocol for the sudden unexpected death of a child and West Midlands Police were notified the same day," she said. The hospital undertook a comprehensive clinical review of child deaths and sudden deteriorations under the supervision of healthcare professionals. The findings of this review were subsequently analyzed by independent experts and shared with law enforcement agencies.

The hospital's proactive approach has included transparent communication with the families affected by these incidents. Dr. Reynolds emphasized the importance of openness and cooperation with both West Midlands Police and the Coroner's office. The primary focus remains on patient safety, and the hospital's decisive actions reflect this commitment.

The nurse's suspension not only bars her from working at Birmingham Children's Hospital but also prevents her from practicing nursing elsewhere. She had been a staff member at the hospital, which houses a 31-bed paediatric intensive care unit. A representative from West Midlands Police provided insight into the ongoing investigation, stating that the woman was arrested on suspicion of administering poison with the intent to endanger life.

This unsettling news surfaces in the wake of the recent conviction of nurse Lucy Letby, who was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of seven babies and the attempted murder of six more at a hospital in Chester. Letby's case has drawn international attention and highlighted the grave consequences of breaches in medical ethics and patient trust.

The Birmingham Children's Hospital incident underscores the importance of maintaining the highest standards of patient care and accountability within the medical profession. As the investigation continues, questions about oversight, protocols, and the overall safety of patients in medical settings will remain at the forefront of public concern.

court case

Lucy Letby's parents attended every day of her 10-month trial, and were so determined to hear all the evidence against their daughter that they relocated to Manchester from Hereford

Lucy Letby was handed a whole life order this week

Lucy Letby was handed a whole life order this week for murdering seven babies and attempting to kill six more while working as a nurse.

In what was branded a "cowardly" move, the 33-year-old refused to face her victims' families in court for sentencing as they read out statements telling how she tore their lives apart. Her parents, Susan and Jonathan Letby, also chose not to attend - despite going to every day of the 10-month trial.

They were so determined to hear all the evidence against their daughter that they relocated to Manchester from Hereford, on the England-Wales border. The pair have been quick to leap to their daughter's defence - it was they who she leaned on when she had a key meeting with hospital bosses in January 2017.

The parents went alongside their daughter, claiming that she was being bullied and victimised on the neonatal unit, after two senior doctors raised the alarm. Letby's mum was reportedly distraught when she was arrested – wailing, crying and even telling police: "I did it, take me instead," in a desperate bid to protect her.

Letby's parents leaving Manchester Crown Court during the trial

Investigators suspect Letby had told them very little details of her horrific crimes before they were laid out in front of them in court. As the guilty verdicts were returned, Mrs Letby broke down into tears which continued even after she had left the court. At one point she cried out: "You can't be serious. This cannot be right."

The Letbys were a close-knit family and her parents were understandably proud when their daughter became the first in their wider family to go to university and move away from home. But her trial heard that Mr Letby, now 77 and Mrs Letby, 63, came to "hate it" when she did not return home after her graduation and that made her feel "constantly guilty".

Messaging a friend who had joked about emigrating to New Zealand, Letby said: "I couldn't leave my parents. They would be completely devastated. Find it hard enough being away from me now and its only 100 miles. I came here to uni & didn't go back. They hate it & I feel guilty for staying here sometimes but it's what I want."

Letby told another friend: "My parents worry massively about everything & anything, hate that I live alone etc. I feel bad because I know it's really hard for them especially as I'm an only child, and they mean well, just a little suffocating at times and constantly feel guilty."

During her studies Letby went on work placements at the Countess of Chester, on the children's ward or the neonatal unit. She started working full time there from January 2012 as a Band 5 nurse and three years later qualified to work with infants who needed intensive care.

Letby's parents came to "hate it" when she did not return home after her graduation

The nurse was found guilty of murdering seven babies and attempting to kill six more

Initially Letby lived in the on-site accommodation at Ash House before moving to a flat in Chester in April 2014. In June 2015 she returned to Ash House and then moved into her home in Blacon on April 6, 2016.

In the period she was said to have been intentionally harming babies at work, Letby had an "active social life" with salsa dancing classes a particular favourite. A regular gym-goer she was also a member of a local pub quiz team.

Letby enjoyed holidays with friends and in the summer of 2015 was among revellers at a colleague's hen party in York before she attended the wedding later that year. She told the court her health was "fine" in 2015 and 2016, although in 2015 she had been diagnosed with optic neuritis, a condition caused by inflammation of the optic nerve which can cause pain and blurred vision.

Letby received treatment at the Countess and also at the Walton Centre in Liverpool before the issue was "resolved". In June 2016 she confided to a doctor colleague about a problem with an underactive thyroid.

She told him: "I've been hypothyroid since I was 11, having blips last 12 months, just increased dose again to see if that does the trick...last time it was increased I was over treated & had tremors etc.." She said she was on anti-depressants after her mental health deteriorated when she was accused of harming babies and was still taking them.

As she was placed in the back of a police car during her first arrest she told an officer, who offered to move the front passenger seat forward, that she had recently undergone knee surgery. Letby told jurors she was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder after her three arrests.

Letby being arrested at home in Chester in 2018

She told the court: "It was just the most scariest thing I've ever been through. It not only happened once, it happened twice and a third time. It's just traumatised me... I'm very sensitive to any noise, any unexpected change or new people. I am easily startled, easily frightened of things."

Letby was allowed by the judge to settle into her seat when she gave evidence, before members of the public and the press were allowed into court. At the end of each evidence session the public gallery was cleared before prison officers returned her to the dock.

Her trial heard that Letby made a three-hour round trip from HMP New Hall in Wakefield and would get up at 5.30am to be at court on time. She said she had been in four prisons since she was charged in November 2020.

Before the jury was sworn in the court heard Letby was left "incoherent" and "can't speak properly" after she was moved from HMP Bronzefield in Surrey to HMP New Hall on the Friday afternoon before the trial. Letby was said to have found the move "traumatising" as none of her possessions initially came with her, the court heard.

During the trial she walked into the dock each morning clutching a purple blanket, a pink blanket and a file of paperwork. She studiously followed the medical evidence and occasionally a flurry of notes would be passed to her legal team.

The front of a diary, along with a post-it note which was found inside the diary, recovered from Letby's home

At the end of each court day she would request time to see her barrister, Ben Myers KC, before the journey back to prison. She also regularly received visits from the court's designated mental health nurse during the trial.

When she came to give evidence in her defence, Mr Myers asked how it felt to have job as a nurse taken away from her and to be accused of killing babies. Letby replied: "My job was my life. My whole world was stopped."

Mr Myers said: "If you think back to when you were a young woman, you were 25, 26, before you were being blamed for what happened, are you the same person?" Letby replied: "Everything has completely changed. Everything about me and my life, the hopes I had for the future, everything has gone."

Mr Myers said: "How content were you in your life before you began to get the blame for all of this?" Letby replied: "I had a very happy life."

funding for Lucy Letby appeal

VIEWCOMMENTS

A court sketch of Lucy Letby, centre / PA Wire

Supporters of serial killer Lucy Letby have launched an appeal to fund her defence calling the nurse’s trial the “greatest miscarriage of justice that the UK has ever witnessed”.

Letby, who was sentenced to a whole life order for the murder of seven babies and attempted murder of six others, has the right to appeal her life term but her lawyers have so far not indicated they will.

Despite this, a campaign calling itself Science on Trial is putting forward arguments questioning expert witness accounts and forensic evidence believing the killer nurse did not get a fair trial.

Its founder Sarrita Adams, a scientific consultant for biotech start-ups in California, says she has a PhD in biochemistry from Cambridge University, but, according to her LinkedIn profile, she appears not to have worked as a scientist since then.

“Through fundraising, researching, and legal assistance, we aim to ensure that Lucy Letby can have a fair trial where scientific evidence is reliable,” her website states.

“We are currently working to form a group of scientists, lawyers, and activists to aid in the upcoming appeal for Lucy Letby.

“We believe that Lucy’s defence was not adequate, that there is more to this case which was not heard in court, which deserved to be heard, and that everyone deserves a fair trial. That is why we have come together to fight for the science to be brought to trial.”

The arrest of Lucy Letby (Cheshire Constabulary/PA) / PA Media

Donations to the American website are not currently open but there are options to join the cause with a donation link saying “coming soon”.

Ms Adams uses the site to criticise the reliability of the prosecution’s evidence that high insulin levels detected in two babies showed they were deliberately injected.

However, Letby’s legal team did not challenge the fact babies were injected with insulin, instead denying it was her that administered the fatal injections.

It comes as Letby faces being stripped of her NHS pension after being convicted of the “sadistic” murders.

It is understood the Government is looking at ways to prevent the benefit being paid to Britain’s worst child killer.

Letby refused to leave her cell for sentencing on Monday, where the parents of her newborn victims described the horrifying impact the crimes had on their families.

welcome

The former NHS neonatal nurse, 33, has become the fourth woman in Britain to be handed a whole-life order, which is used for only the most horrendous crimes.

Lucy Letby was found guilty following a lengthy trial

Evil child serial killer Lucy Letby is set to die behind bars after fooling her friends and family into believing she was just an ordinary young woman.

The former NHS neonatal nurse, 33, has become the fourth woman in Britain to be handed a whole-life order, which is used for only the most horrendous crimes.

Her campaign of terror on innocent babies in her care took place between June 2015 and June 2016 at the Countess of Chester Hospital, where she deliberately harmed them.

Her twisted actions included injecting infants with air and insulin or overfeeding them with milk. She was escorted out of her child-like bedroom in handcuffs five years ago and put into the back of a police car.

This was followed by a lengthy 10-month trial in which she was found guilty of murdering seven babies and attempting to kill six others.

While she has spent time in four prisons so far, nothing will have prepared her for her new lifelong sentence as a Category A prisoner with a target on her head, the Mirror reports.

The average life sentence is 16.5 years, but 'whole-lifers' cannot escape as the Parole Board will never review their case. Letby will likely start her sentence in either HMP Bronzefield in Surrey, where she's already served time, or at HMP Low Newton, in Durham.

Screen grab taken from body worn camera footage issued by Cheshire Constabulary of the arrest of Lucy Letby

Bronzefield is the largest women's prison in Europe, where Rose West spent time before being transferred. Current inmates include Shauna Hoare, who was found guilty of manslaughter for the killing of Becky Watts in 2015; and the al-Qaeda fanatic Roshonara Choudhry, who stabbed Labour MP Stephen Timms in 2010.

Meanwhile, Low Newton, a maximum security prison, has housed female killers Joanna Dennehy, Rose West, Bernadette McNeilly, and the mother of tragic tot Baby P, Tracey Connelly.

The prison just outside of Durham is next door to the so-called "Monster Mansion" HMP Frankland, which holds Ian Huntley, Wayne Couzens and Levi Belfield.

A former inmate of Bronzefield, Sophie Campell, claimed her time at the women's prison was so disturbing that she was compelled to write a memoir about it, Breakfast At Bronzefield. The woman, who was convicted for grievous bodily harm of a police officer, said violence was commonplace within the jail's walls.

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by Taboola

Releasing her story in 2020, she said: "I couldn't believe how offenders were treated by the officers. You wonder how they got away with a lot of it - neglecting inmates in their cells, depriving them of their meals, not giving them much-needed medical attention, or being too rough during searches."

She added: "As well as same-sex relationships thriving in Bronzefield, some female prisoners were engaging in sexual favours with the officers to get drugs or food, and that was a real shock for me. It's so horrible how normalised it is, often gossiped and giggled about.

"Violence is everywhere. It puts you on edge. You have to be alert as a situation can escalate rapidly. That's why you learn to adopt a new code of conduct inside."

The bed in her Chester home that she'll never be able to sleep in again

She also spoke of witnessing a woman having boiling hot water thrown over her face during her first few weeks, adding: "It rattles you. You know it could be you - say the wrong thing, or look at the wrong person and you could be burned and blistered and never offered medical treatment."

Experts say that Letby will have 'restricted status' for an inmate, which is considered the female equivalent of Category A - meaning she is the highest-risk threat to the public.

It is said she will be on suicide watch for some months and it will be a while before she is integrated with other prisoners. She will start off her whole life sentence living in the hospital wing of the prison while they assess her mental and physical health, and as a way of protecting her safety from other inmates.

Eventually, she'll be moved into her own cell. This is a routine procedure for every inmate found guilty of murder, on the assumption that anyone who faces decades in prison will contemplate taking their own life.

It will take place in a number of forms - from CCTV cameras watching Letby to direct supervision from officers, noting her moves every 10 minutes.

This is one of the general population prison cells in HMP Low Newton where Letby may stay

"She'll be what's known as a 'restricted status' prisoner," Mark Leech, a prisons expert and editor of The Prison Oracle website told the Telegraph. "She'll be on suicide watch and it will be some time before she gets to mingle with the main prison population - at least six months."

She may also receive extra care and attention at HMP Low Newton, which boasts the 'Primrose Project' - designed to treat women with "dangerous and severe personality disorders". It is the only prison in the UK with such a unit. While Letby will be considered a threat to herself, she will be a possible target for others for the rest of her life.

Professor Yvonne Jewkes, professor of criminology at the University of Bath, says Letby will have a price on her head. "At best, she'll be subjected to extreme bullying and intimidation. At worst, she might be in quite considerable physical danger," she told the Telegraph.

For that reason, it'll be a lonely ride for Letby, who will have very little human contact. "She'll associate mostly with prison officers, her key worker in the prison and one or two cleaners, but much of that interaction will be through the hatch in her cell door," Leech added.

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She'll be spending at least 22 hours a day inside her single cell - approximately 1.8 metres wide by three metres in length. Inside the cell, Lucy, who will be forced to wear a prison uniform of grey joggers and a sweater, will have a single bed, a storage unit, a chair, and a toilet.

Due to her confinement, it's likely she will be encouraged by staff to be mentally stimulated to avoid extreme stress, anger, and frustration. Her life of solitude will be filled with reading stories about others - she will be able to read newspapers, books, and watch TV, but not much else. And for an hour a day, she will be able to exercise, walking the prison grounds.

Lucy will, however, be able to speak to her family and receive visits, which will be vetted by police, though they will be few and far between. A convicted prisoner is usually allowed at least two 1-hour visits every four weeks.

Her parents, Susan and John, from Chester, were there at Manchester Crown Court for each day of her 10-month trial, so it's likely they will keep returning to check in on their daughter. Letby won't be able to receive emails directly, but she can receive messages through the Email a Prisoner service.

They're printed out and delivered by prison staff, with each email costing 40p from Letby's prison cash card. There is no limit on the number of letters she can send and receive however, although most are checked by prison staff.

When it comes to phone calls, she will only be able to speak to those named on her friends and family list. And as this needs to be checked by security, it'll take a few days following her arrival for her to be able to make a call.

In time, it is expected that she would be integrated into groups, such as reading clubs or cooking classes, like Rose West, who is said to have become a star baker. It is thought that the professionals will want to keep her busy, and even encourage her to do an Open University degree.

Her diet will now be dictated by the chef's selection of hot meals and lunches, with an Independent Monitoring Board report, published in 2021, saying that Low Newton provided food that was "nutritious, well cooked and of good variety". Later in life, it is expected for Letby to be moved to a lower-security prison to see out her final days before her death behind bars

Baby murder

TWO people have been arrested on suspicion of murder after a baby was found dead at a flat. Emergency crews were scrambled to Mimosa Close in Havering, Essex, last night following concerns for the tot's welfare. Tragically, they discovered the body of a baby at the property.

security???

Amidst growing concerns for the safety of convicted nurse Lucy Letby, authorities have stepped up security measures, with Letby reportedly living under constant surveillance as she serves her sentence. Letby, who was recently found guilty of multiple counts of murder, has been targeted by some notorious inmates, leading to apprehensions of potential harm.

Lucy Letby will be at risk from other prisoners. Credit: PA

Tensions Rise Inside the Prison Walls

Lucy Letby, a former nurse who gained notoriety for her involvement in the deaths of several infants under her care, has been placed under heightened security due to credible threats from fellow inmates. Sources within the prison report that Letby is being closely monitored and is under constant supervision to ensure her safety.

Authorities have not disclosed specific details about the nature of the threats or the identities of the inmates involved, but it is believed that Letby's conviction for the heinous crimes she committed has made her a target among the prison population.

Precautionary Measures Taken

In response to the threats, prison authorities have implemented a range of precautionary measures to ensure Lucy Letby's well-being. These measures include increased surveillance, regular checks on her cell, and restricted movement within the prison grounds. Additionally, a number of corrections officers have been assigned to monitor her interactions and movements.

Furthermore, Letby is reportedly receiving psychological support to help her cope with the challenging environment and the potential dangers she faces from fellow inmates. The goal is to ensure her physical and mental well-being while serving her sentence.

Public Reaction and Ongoing Investigation

The news of Lucy Letby being targeted by inmates has sparked a mixture of reactions from the public. While some individuals believe that the threats are a consequence of her crimes, others are concerned about the safety of anyone in custody, emphasizing the importance of rehabilitation and security within the penal system.

According to reports by The Sun on Tuesday, August 22, 2023, prison authorities have assured the public that they are taking the situation seriously and are working to ensure that Letby is protected from any harm. The investigation into the threats is ongoing, and additional security measures may be implemented if deemed necessary.

Conclusion

The case of Lucy Letby continues to capture public attention, as her conviction for the murders of infants has led to a tense environment within the prison walls. As authorities work to ensure her safety, the incident highlights the challenges faced by the correctional system in managing the safety of high-profile inmates, while also raising broader questions about the protection and rehabilitation of individuals in custody.

lucy Letby Sentence

It is thought evil baby-killing nurse Lucy Letby will spend her dying days in HMP Bronzefield, alongside some of the United Kingdom's most notorious female prisoners

parents moving closer

John and Susan Letby Reportedly Seek Proximity to Incarcerated Daughter Following Shocking Trial

In a chilling turn of events, the parents of Lucy Letby, Britain's notorious female serial killer, are said to be considering a move closer to the prison where their daughter will spend the rest of her life. John and Susan Letby have reportedly expressed an intention to relocate 250 miles in order to be nearer to their daughter's place of incarceration.

It's reported the parents of killer Lucy Letby plan to move to be close to their daughter (Image: Getty )

Lucy Letby, who was recently convicted of multiple counts of murder related to her role as a nurse in a prominent healthcare facility, shocked the nation with her heinous actions. The trial, spanning 10 months, exposed the grim extent of her crimes and left many in disbelief. The Letbys, who attended each day of the trial, were noticeably absent during the sentencing phase following their daughter's conviction.

The absence of the Letby parents during the sentencing has raised questions about their emotional state and the extent of their connection to their daughter. While the couple's motives for considering a move closer to the prison are not fully understood, experts suggest a complex mix of emotions could be at play.

According to reports by Express on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, forensic psychologist Dr. Emily Collins shared her insights on the matter, stating, "The Letbys might be grappling with a range of emotions such as guilt, confusion, and disbelief. Their decision to relocate could be a manifestation of these emotions, driven by an internal struggle to come to terms with the unimaginable acts committed by their own child."

Lucy Letby's actions, which resulted in the tragic deaths of multiple infants under her care, have left an indelible mark on the nation. Her trial shed light on the vulnerabilities in the healthcare system and led to widespread debates on patient safety and the supervision of medical professionals.

The news of the Letbys' potential relocation has ignited mixed reactions among the public. Some view their decision as a testament to their unwavering parental love, while others see it as a perplexing choice given the gravity of their daughter's crimes.

Legal experts have highlighted that the Letbys' choice to move closer to their daughter's prison could potentially impact her life behind bars. The extent to which the proximity of family could influence Lucy Letby's prison experience remains uncertain, as prison policies and regulations play a significant role in determining inmate interactions.

As the Letbys navigate the aftermath of their daughter's trial and subsequent conviction, their decision to move closer to the prison she now calls home remains a poignant reminder of the complex emotions intertwined with such a deeply disturbing case. The extent to which this relocation will impact their own lives, as well as Lucy Letby's, remains to be seen.

Lucy Letby sentences

Sick baby murderer Lucy Letby will spend the rest of her life behind bars, with no chance of ever coming out.

Although the place where she will rot for killing seven and attempting to murder another six has not yet been officially confirmed, it has been suspected it will be HMP Bronzefield in Surrey, as she has already been there since being arrested more than five years ago.

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