Lucy Letby was texting about a doctor on whom she allegedly “had a crush” hours before she attempted to murder a vulnerable baby boy, a court has heard.
The nurse, 33, denied the doctor was her boyfriend or that she was “sweet” on him, as she gave evidence for a 12th day at Manchester crown court.
In text messages read to the jury, Letby told a friend she had received a “strange” message from the male colleague, who cannot be named. The friend replied: “Did u? Saying what?” then suggested the doctor had suggested Letby “go commando” along with a crying laughing emoji.
Letby insisted she did not know what the phrase “go commando” meant when asked three times by the prosecutor, Nick Johnson KC. Asked whether it was a reference to the Royal Marines, the defendant did not reply.
Letby, originally from Hereford, denies murdering seven babies and attempting to murder another 10 on the neonatal unit at the Countess of Chester hospital between June 2015 and June 2016.
Johnson KC said Letby had been “texting non-stop” after starting her night shift at 8pm – five hours before she allegedly attempted to murder a newborn boy, Child N, by injecting him with air.
Asked about her relationship with the doctor, who was one of those caring for Child N, Letby denied she “had a crush” on him.
In texts read by the prosecutor, the nurse’s friend said “think he likes u too” and that he was “as flirty as u”. Letby replied: “Shut up … I don’t flirt with him!”
She added: “Certainly don’t fancy him haha just nice guy.”
Letby is accused of attempting to murder Baby N three times, the first a little over 11 hours after he was born on 2 June 2015 when he was found “screaming” in his cot.
She allegedly attempted to “sabotage” him 12 days later by thrusting “some foreign object” into his throat, using his haemophilia as cover to explain any severe bleeding, the jury has been told.
Johnson said the doctor was one of those who found Baby N’s sudden life-threatening collapse concerning as the infant had been in a good condition.
The prosecutor asked whether this colleague was one of those who Letby claims “had it in for you” – a reference to four consultant paediatricians who raised concerns about the nurse’s connection to a series of unexplained deaths.
Johnson said this was a doctor whom Letby previously said she “loved as a friend”. The defendant replied: “Yes, as time went on, yes.”
The prosecutor said the defendant had wanted to leave the courtroom in tears when the doctor gave evidence in February. “Yes, because I felt unwell,” said Letby.
Johnson said: “You didn’t like hearing your boyfriend giving evidence, did you?”
Letby said “that’s not fair” before her counsel, Benjamin Myers KC, interjected to say the questioning was “inappropriate”.
Earlier on Wednesday, Letby denied “rooting in the confidential paper bin” for medical records relating to another of her alleged victims.
The nurse was asked why the documents were found in a bag beneath her bed following her arrest in July 2018. She replied: “Because I collect paper.”
Johnson pointed out that police also recovered a paper shredder which Letby had used to destroy old bank statements.
The defendant said “household bills” were different to medical documents because she would shred bank statements after paying the bill but would put hospital paperwork “to one side and not think about again”.
“You’re making this up as you go along, aren’t you?” asked the prosecutor. Letby replied: “No.”
The trial continues.
