A NURSE today appeared in court accused of murdering of eight babies and attempting to kill nine others.

       Lucy Letby, 30, was arrested for a third time in November 2020 after a three-year probe into the deaths at the Countess of Chester Hospital's neonatal unit.

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       Lucy Letby has been charged with murdering eight babies and trying to kill 9 others 7

       She was arrested as part of the investigation into deaths at the hospital, which began in 2017 Credit: Enterprise News and Pictures

       She today appeared via videolink from custody at HMP Bronzefield in Ashford, Surrey.

       Family members watched the 50-minute hearing from Chester Crown Court.

       Letby has pleaded not guilty to eight counts of murder and ten counts of attempted murder.

       The charges relate to 17 babies aged under one - with one alleged victim falling under both a murder and attempted murder count.

       There is a reporting restriction banning naming the five baby boys and three girls allegedly murdered by Letby.

       The five baby boys and five baby girls she is accused of attempting to kill also cannot be identified.

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       The alleged offences are said to have taken place between June 2015 and June 2016.

       A provisional trial date has been set for October 4 at Manchester Crown Court.

       Letby was remanded in custody ahead of a hearing in April on a date to be set.

       Police launched a probe after the hospital raised concerns at the high number of deaths between March 2015 and July 2016 - which were said to be 10 per cent above average.

       An internal inquiry was undertaken when medics found premature babies had died following heart and lung failure.

       Police said previously parents of all the babies involved were being kept fully updated on developments and were supported by officers.

       Letby was arrested by police in 2018 and again in 2019 but was bailed pending further inquiries.

       Following her previous arrests, her home in the Blacon area of Chester was searched by police.

       Lucy had worked as a student nurse during three years of training before qualifying as a children's nurse at the University of Chester in 2011.

       At the time of her arrest, a pal described her as a "professional nurse" who was dedicated to her "dream job".

       Robyn Smith, of Slater and Gordon, representing two of the families, said: "We await the outcome of the criminal proceedings and will of course be supporting our clients through this traumatic process.”

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       The 30-year-old has been remanded in custody 7

       Cops pictured outside Letby's home in Hereford when she was previously arrested Credit: Getty Images - Getty 7

       Letby was arrested following a three-year investigation into the deaths at the Countess of Chester Hospital's neonatal unit Credit: Enterprise News and Pictures 7

       Police have carried out investigations at her home Credit: PA:Press Association 7

       Police said the investigation into the deaths at the hospital was 'highly complex' Credit: Mercury Press