Months before his conviction for murdering two patients and poisoning others, Victorino Chua unexpectedly invited the BBC's North of England correspondent Ed Thomas into his home. The nurse, who it later emerged had written of a 'devil inside' him, revealed his thoughts during their encounter.
Chua protested his innocence, saying he wanted to wear a placard and walk to Stepping Hill Hospital proclaiming his innocence. He was selling his house in Stockport and moving to the Midlands to be with his family. He said his doctor had advised him to go to the gym to manage his anger.
When asked directly if he had poisoned patients, Chua replied, 'I didn't hurt anyone. I only came into contact with two of the 21 patients, I would never harm anyone.' He said he enjoyed his work and that patients 'loved him,' but admitted a problem with a manager.
Asked if he feared the real poisoner was still at large, Chua broke down and cried, but did not answer directly. He spoke of the pressure on his family and the pain of separation from his children due to bail conditions.
During the interview, Chua never spontaneously mentioned his patients or denied the crimes. When pressed, his answer began with a story about a placard. After his conviction, he will never get the chance to parade his innocence before former colleagues.
