Lucy Letby will spend the rest of her life in prison for the murder of seven babies and attempted murder of six others.

The 33-year-old was handed a ‘whole life order’ for the murders this afternoon, meaning she will spend the rest of her life in prison unless under very exceptional circumstances.

The neonatal nurse heard her sentence virtually via video link from prison. 

Judge James Goss delivered the sentence and told Ms Letby she has "no remorse".

"There was a deep malevolence bordering on sadism in your actions," he said.

"During the course of this trial, you have coldly denied any responsibility for your wrongdoing and sought to attribute some fault to others."

Ms Letby refused to attend the court sentence in person and heard the verdict from prison.

Mr Goss said she would receive copies of his full statement, as well as copies of all statements from the parents of her victims.

The mother of child A said Ms Letby thought it was her right to "play God".

Another mother said she blamed herself for her son's death and said she has been living through a "horror story".

Court artist drawing by Elizabeth Cook of the parent of one of Lucy Letby's victims reading a victim impact statement at Manchester Crown Court, 21/08/2023. Image: PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo

The mother of children E and F, who were attacked by Ms Letby, said they were born after two painful rounds of IVF.

"No children in the world were more wanted than them," she said.

Mr Goss said Ms Letby caused "deep psychological trauma".

"Loving parents have been robbed of their cherished children," he said.

He noted Ms Letby targeted premature babies, twins and triplets.

"The last thing anyone working in the unit would think is that someone caring for babies would deliberately harm them," he said.

Additional reporting by IRN.