Lucy Letby's handwritten notes, which prosecutors used as a confession to murdering seven babies, were written on the advice of counsellors to help her cope with extreme stress, sources have told the Guardian. The notes, scrawled on Post-its and torn paper, included phrases like 'I am evil I did this' and 'I killed them on purpose'. However, sources close to the case say they were produced as part of a therapeutic process.
The Countess of Chester Hospital's head of occupational health, Kathryn de Beger, encouraged Letby to write down her feelings, as did her GP. The notes also contained contradictory statements such as 'I haven't done anything wrong' and references to suicidal thoughts. Criminology professor David Wilson called the notes 'meaningless' as evidence, especially if written during counselling.
Letby was convicted in August 2023 of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder six others, with a further attempted murder conviction in July 2024. The notes did not feature in her rejected appeal. Wilson noted the prosecution's use of the notes as a 'gotcha moment' that likely influenced the jury, given the complexity of other evidence.
Questions over the safety of Letby's conviction have mounted ahead of a public inquiry starting next week. Experts have called for the inquiry to be postponed or its terms changed, citing concerns about trial evidence.
