25 April 2023 , 14:15
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Nurse Lucy Letby photographed a sympathy card sent to the grieving parents of a baby girl to remember her "kind words", a court has heard.
Letby, 33, captured the image of the card on her mobile phone ahead of the youngster's funeral, Manchester Crown Court was told.
She is accused of murdering the prematurely-born infant, known as Child I, in the early hours of October 23 2015, which the Crown say was the fourth attempt to take her life.
Letby is alleged to have murdered seven babies and attempted to murder 10 others at the Countess of Chester Hospital's neo-natal unit.
On Tuesday, excerpts of Letby's interviews by Cheshire Police following her arrest were read out at Manchester Crown Court.
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Asked how she coped with the death of Child I, she replied: "It effects everybody on the unit because we all knew (Child I) quite well and we'd got to know the family.
Nurse Ms Letby wrote the sympathy card to the grieving parents of a baby girl she is said to have murdered (PA)
Letby photographed the card, the court heard (PA)"And then I wanted to go to (Child I's) funeral. I was unfortunately working at the time so didn't go."
Shown her photograph of the card, the officer asked: "Can you explain, Lucy, what that is?"
Letby said: "Yeah, I sent a sympathy card to the parents 'cos I wasn't able to attend the funeral."
The detective said: "OK, is this normal practice, Lucy?"
A handwritten note found at Letby's home by police (PA)Letby replied: "No. Well, it's not very often that we would get to know a family as well as we did with (Child I)."
The detective said: "OK, is there a reason why you didn't go to the funeral?"
Letby said: "I was working. I wasn't able to change my shift. It was suggested that I could send a card via one of the other nurses who was going."
The detective asked: "Have you sent cards to other parents before, Lucy?
Letby allegedly wrote 'I am evil I did this' in capital letters on a piece of paper found by police (PA)"No," she replied.
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The detective went on: "That's the only one you have ever sent?"
Letby said: "Yes."
The detective asked: "Why did you take photographs of it on your phone?"
Letby's bedroom at Westbourne Road, Chester (PA)Letby said: "To remember what I had sent to them."
The detective said: "Why did you do that?"
Letby replied: "I often take pictures of any cards that I have sent, even birthday cards - anything like that. I often take pictures of them."
The detective said: "Did you forward these photographs on to anyone?"
Police outside Letby's home (PA)Letby replied: "Not that I remember, no."
The detective said: "Why did you want to remember what you'd wrote to them, Lucy?"
She said: "It was upsetting losing (Child I) and I think it was nice to remember the kind words that I hoped I'd shared with that family.
"And as I say, I usually photograph any birthday cards that I send, anything like that. That's what I usually would do."
Letby denies all the alleged offences (Facebook)
Letby is alleged to have murdered seven babies and attempted to murder 10 others (MEN Media)Letby wrote on the card: "There are no words to make this time any easier.
"It was a real priviledge (sic) to care for (Child I) and get to know you as a family - a family who always put (Child I) first and did everything possible for her.
"She will always be a part of your lives and we will never forget her.
"Thinking of you today and always - sorry I cannot be there to say goodbye.
Police raided Letby's home (Daily Mirror)"Lots of love Lucy x."
The card contained the printed message: "Your loved one will be remembered with many smiles."
Letby denies all the alleged offences said to have taken place between June 2015 and June 2016.