Taxpayers Foot £2.5 Million Bill to Prosecute Baby-Killer Lucy Letby
In a heart-wrenching trial that spanned ten months, families endured the pain of watching baby-killer Lucy Letby plead not guilty to the deaths of at least seven infants. The cost of justice was steep, with taxpayers shouldering a staggering £2.5 million to bring Letby to trial[^1^]. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) also incurred costs amounting to £2,504,245 to pursue her imprisonment[^1^].
And that’s not all. The final expenses incurred by taxpayers could be even greater, as the figure doesn’t account for Letby’s legal aid, which is expected to reach a substantial sum[^1^]. The CPS explained that the amount includes fees for legal representation, expert witnesses, and presentation-related expenses[^1^].
Tory MP Alec Shelbrooke expressed his dismay, stating, “This is shocking and shows the psychopathy of Lucy Letby lasted until the end. She was fully aware of her guilt but decided to put the families through the ordeal of the awful case when she could have pleaded guilty”[^1^]. Shelbrooke further speculated that Letby may have derived some sort of satisfaction from prolonging the case and causing financial strain on the legal system[^1^].
Lucy Letby was ultimately handed 14 whole-life orders for her crimes, including the murder of seven infants and seven attempted killings[^1^]. She will spend the remainder of her life behind bars at Low Newton prison in Co Durham[^1^], a facility that was once occupied by notorious child-killer Rose West and triple-killer Joanna Dennehy[^1^].
Letby’s case sets a precedent as the fourth woman in Britain to receive a whole-life order, joining the ranks of infamous criminals such as Rose West, Joanna Dennehy, and Moors murderer Myra Hindley[^1^]. The government has responded by initiating an inquiry into the Letby case, endowed with the authority to compel witnesses to provide evidence[^1^]. This step underscores the gravity of the case and the pursuit of justice for the affected families.
[^1^]: Source: Original news article (No link provided)