Former neonatal nurse proclaims innocence from dock as she is sentenced for attempted murder of newborn baby

Lucy Letby cried from the dock “I’m innocent” after she was sentenced to a whole-life order for attempting to kill a newborn girl in what the judge called a “shocking act of calculated, callous cruelty”.

The former neonatal nurse made the remark as she was taken to the court cells after being sentenced.

After the convicted killer was refused permission to appeal, she has few options left

• Spectators and an elephant in the room during retrial

Lucy Letby was convicted last year of murdering seven babies and attempting to kill six others at the Countess of Chester hospital in north-west England, where she worked as a nurse. She is serving 14 whole-life sentences, meaning she will never be released from prison.

In April she sought permission to appeal against those convictions at the court of appeal in London, and in May her challenge was refused. On Tuesday the court published its judgment explaining its decision. Here we explain what steps she has taken – and what could happen next.

Former neonatal nurse convicted on retrial after jury at original trial was unable to reach verdict

Lucy Letby has been found guilty of trying to kill a two-hour-old baby girl on the hospital ward where she murdered seven other infants.

The “cold-blooded, calculated killer”, who is serving 14 whole-life prison terms, was convicted on Tuesday of attempting to murder the “extremely premature” infant after a retrial at Manchester crown court.