Fresh evidence may prove ‘male Lucy Letby' conviction is unsafe
Colin Campbell, formerly known as Colin Norris, was found guilty in 2008 of killing four women and attempting to kill a fifth by injecting them with insulin.
All were elderly inpatients on orthopaedic wards where Campbell worked in 2002 and each developed severe, unexplained hypoglycemia.
But the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC), which referred the convictions to the Court of Appeal in London four years ago, said the case against Campbell was 'wholly circumstantial'.
Campbell was alleged to have been present when or shortly before each of the patients suffered hypoglycemia and, because of the rarity of such a cluster of cases happening within a short space of time, prosecutors said the nurse must have been responsible.
A total of 20 experts gave evidence during a five-month trial at Newcastle Crown Court, after which Campbell was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 30 years.
But now, medical developments meant there was more evidence to support the argument that the patients may have died from natural causes, Campbell's lawyer has argued.
Campbell has always denied any wrongdoing and said he did nothing to cause hypoglycemia in any of the patients.
On Tuesday, Michael Mansfield KC, for Campbell, told a Court of Appeal hearing: 'The nature of the prosecution case was that this appellant, Colin Campbell, was a nurse, recently qualified, who was at two teaching hospitals in Leeds – the General Infirmary and St James's.
'The prosecution case was that he injected the five individuals with insulin and, as a result of that injection, they all suffered a sudden and severe episode of hypoglycemia, namely, low blood sugar.'
He said there was a consensus among the experts at trial that a sudden and severe onset of hypoglycemia was extremely rare.
He told the court: 'The approach of the witnesses we intend to call on behalf of the appellant indicates an evolution of understanding, of knowledge, about hypoglycemia and about glucose generally.
'So we say there is now a range of possibilities relating to natural causes.'
'Remarkably similar ages'
He also said that, towards the end of Campbell's trial, the jury had asked whether there were other cases of patients suffering from 'sudden and profound' hypoglycemia in any of the Leeds teaching hospitals after Campbell stopped working.
Four such cases have since been identified, Mr Mansfield told the court, with the deaths recorded between January 2003 and August 2005, before adding that 'no-one is suggesting that these cases were anything other than natural causes'.
The barrister also noted the 'remarkably similar' ages in all nine cases, with the patients being between 78 and 93 years old, but this 'was not discussed' at the trial.
Campbell unsuccessfully appealed against his conviction in 2009 and applied to the CCRC in 2011.
In referring the case, the CCRC said new expert evidence suggests the women may have died from natural causes, meaning there was a real possibility the Court of Appeal could find the conviction to be unsafe.
There have also been other developments in the understanding of hypoglycemia that cast doubt on the expert evidence given at trial, the CCRC said.
The appeal, before Lady Justice Macur, Sir Stephen Irwin and Mr Justice Picken, is expected to last three weeks.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
6 minutes ago
- The Sun
We're left scrapping for benefits in UK's ‘PIP city' while jobless kids claims £100s thanks to TikTok ‘sickfluencers'
BATTLING heart issues and a crumbling spine that has left her reliant on a mobility scooter, Beryl Davis faces a daily fight to survive on her meagre disability benefits. But, she says, life in the town dubbed 'PIP city' comes with an extra gut-punch - as hard-up pensioners like her watch young, jobless chancers game the UK's broken welfare system, inspired by so-called TikTok 'sickfluencers'. 8 8 The troubling scenes in Hartlepool - where in some areas nearly one in four adults claim Personal Independence Payments (PIP) - have created a bitter divide between hard-grifting older folk with genuine illnesses and what they see as work-shy younger generations shamelessly exploiting legal loopholes. It is a schism that shines a light on a wider debate gripping Britain, where - despite there being many young people legitimately claiming benefits - vulnerable pensioners living on minimal support fear they are being left in the lurch in favour of unscrupulous claimants. Beryl, 71, reveals: 'One person I know claimed it for acne, another for OCD. It's far too easy to get hold of these days. 'I have a genuine disability. I don't understand how some people are getting it so easily when people like me have to fight for it. 'I know someone in his twenties, diabetic, and yes, he has some health issues, but he's just been awarded the full whack and he's pulling in about £1,600 a month. "He could work. He chooses not to." Famous for its shipyards and steelmaking that were once at the centre of Britain's industrial revolution, Hartlepool has a proud history built off the back of its tireless work force. But during The Sun's visit, fed-up residents say what was meant to be a safety net for those too ill or disabled to work has become a cushion for the lazy, especially among the under-40s. The northern town, in Co Durham, now has one of the highest rates of disability benefit claimants in the entire country, with 22.3 per cent of working age adults receiving PIP across six of its central wards. A Sun analysis of official data reveals 6,737 of 30,154 working-age adults here are now receiving the benefit, with more than 2,000 people aged between 16 and 64 claiming PIP for anxiety and depression. Stop handing out new cars for FOOD INTOLERANCE says Kemi Badenoch as she demands Labour cut ballooning benefits bill Among them is a 24-year-old who told us, on condition of anonymity, how he used TikTok guides to secure a successful mental health claim. It comes after we revealed how brazen "sickfluencers" are gaining thousands of followers on social media by explaining how to game PIP application forms and ramp up the scoring criteria. Shocking recent figures revealed how claims across the UK are at a record high, with 16 to 19-year-olds now making up 16.5 per cent of all PIP cases - up from 14.6 per cent in 2019. The unemployed lad told us how he used tips posted by one influencer to explain how his ability to carry out tasks was affected by social anxiety - despite not having a formal medical diagnosis. By Ryan Sabey and Noa Hoffman FACE-TO-FACE welfare claim assessments are needed to stop taxpayers' money being used to fund cars for people with minor conditions like food intolerances, Kemi Badenoch says. The Tory leader called for a crackdown — with the health and disability benefits outlay set to spiral to £100billion by the end of the decade. She wants to stop flagrant abuse of the taxpayer-subsidised Motability scheme, which was designed to provide cars for the disabled — and also to target online 'sickinfluencers' who tell claimants what to say in interviews to play the system. Ms Badenoch said in a speech the number of in-person checks has slipped because of the pandemic, being replaced with cheaper phone interviews. She said: ' Approval rates have soared, and we now have online 'sickfluencers' selling people scripts to maximise their scores on an assessment. "We need to build in proper medical evidence to the system. And go back to face-to-face assessments which never recovered after Covid. "Food intolerances are a medical fact, but they're not something we should be handing out new cars for. "That is not a joke. This actually happens.' Stats show around £600million went on Motability last year from the Department for Work and Pensions, and 589,000 claimants had cars as of April. Ms Badenoch said it needed to go as it was a 'perfect example' of a welfare system out of control. She said: 'People are qualifying with conditions like drug misuse, ADHD and obesity. 'The assessment system surely can't have been designed with that intention. And we can't allow it to continue for a moment longer.' He said: "The TikTok videos basically told me which questions to answer and what to say to have the best chance of being approved. "I had a phone call from an assessor which basically lasted for 30 minutes and they agreed that I couldn't work. "I'm now getting £74 a week." Asked if he was genuinely anxious to the point of being unable to work, the youngster said: "I used to work in a supermarket but I found it too much to interact with people. Maybe if there was a job I could do from home, it would be okay." He denied gaming the system, despite shopping among crowds in the town centre, "because there's no jobs around here, anyway". PIP hotspot Across six central wards in Hartlepool, a staggering one in five working-age adults is now on PIP. For many, the ire is pointed at drug users and street drinkers we saw congregating by a community centre. One, seen leaving a corner shop, with a carrier bag filled with beer, said he had "mental health" and "was stressed". 8 8 At a sandwich shop in the town centre, Claire Jarvis, 43, revealed how her husband had not been able to secure PIP despite being diagnosed with prostate cancer and undergoing gruelling radiation therapy. She said: 'I understand that some people genuinely need benefits - I'm not against that. But I think the wrong people are getting the help while people who really need it are being left with nothing. 'My husband was diagnosed with prostate cancer last year. "He went through radiotherapy, he still suffers now - he's got burns all over his back, his bowels are damaged, and he's had to go to work because he's scared he'll lose his job. "And yet when we applied for PIP, he scored zero on the assessment. 8 8 "Meanwhile, there are people who are playing the system, claiming for mental health or back pain without any proper diagnosis, and they're getting everything. "People say there are no jobs but that's nonsense. If you wanted a job, you could go out and get a job. "It's galling to work hard while other people are in the beer garden spending their benefits." Mrs Jarvis' co-worker Charlie Williamson, 26, missed out on support for her five-year-old daughter who has epilepsy. She told how she comes to work despite suffering from anxiety and the stresses of caring for her young child. The wrong people are getting the help while people who really need it are being left with nothing. Claire Jarvis, 43 Ms Williamson said: "I was just in this dark place where I just had no motivation to do anything. I was just getting myself in a dark place. "I was scared to work because of the anxiety, but then at the same time, I wanted to work. "I'm glad that I do work. I absolutely see the importance of it and I look forward to it now." A Taxpayers Alliance analysis suggested there were 187 PIP claimants for every 1,000 Hartlepool residents, the second highest rate in England behind the Merseyside constituency of Knowsley. They are among 12 local authorities in England and Wales where the proportion on PIP exceeds one in six. Anyone with a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability that affects their day-to-day life can get PIP, including adults in full-time employment. PIP is split into two parts and claimants can be eligible for both. The daily living part goes to adults needing help with everyday tasks, whereas the mobility part is doled out to those who require assistance getting around. Applicants are assessed on a points-based system, scoring between zero and 12 depending on how much difficulty they have with basic day-to-day activities - such as preparing and eating food. At present, anyone who scores between eight and 11 points qualifies for the standard rate of the daily living component, currently worth £73.90 a week. Those awarded 12 points or more receive the enhanced rate, paying £110.40 a week. Under existing rules, applicants must reach at least eight points - across any combination of tasks - to receive the lowest level of support. 'Genuinely needy overlooked' Paula Spence, 70, was forced to retire aged 55 and has been reliant on PIP since. She said: 'I've worked since I was 16 - I was a hairdresser, then later a lollipop lady, which I loved. "But the cold weather and standing for hours ruined my joints. I was laid off at 55 on medical advice, and I've never worked since. I'm on PIP now because I genuinely need it. 'I'll be honest - there are some people around here who just don't want to work. Some are lazy. They're on the dole, they claim PIP for things that don't stop them working, and it's wrong. I'm not saying that's everyone, but it does happen. "Meanwhile, there are genuine cases where people are really struggling, and they're the ones being made to jump through hoops.' 8 Figures show nearly a third of working-age adults in some parts of England are now claiming PIP, with more than 3.6 million people receiving it as of January - up from just over two million three years ago. Critics say the spiralling £143billion welfare bill should serve as a wake-up call to ministers after the Government was forced into a U-turn on proposed welfare reforms following pressure from over 120 MPs. The original plans, designed to save five billion by tightening eligibility for PIP, were shelved. A spokesperson for the Taxpayers Alliance said: "Many PIP assessments are now done remotely, with as little as two to four per cent of disability assessments happening in person. "Fewer in-person checks, less scrutiny, and rising appeal success rates suggest a system that's being outpaced and, in some cases, outmaneuvered.'
Times
13 minutes ago
- Times
Get fat jabs, be ‘beach ready'. Is this Labour minister working for Cosmo in 2005?
The government minister Peter Kyle has been criticised for saying that he hopes people will use a new £85 million NHS fat jabs trial to 'look their best' and — wait for it — be 'beach ready'. Beach ready? Beach ready? Hilarious. Why is a man in the cabinet talking as if he has swallowed a copy of Cosmopolitan magazine circa 2005? Cosmopolitan, incidentally, is famous for its ludicrous sex tips. What next? Ministers solemnly advising the nation to prod their partner's buttocks playfully with a fork or women to use their breasts 'as paintbrushes'? Both genuine tips, FYI. You dip the old girls in edible body paint. Being a busy person I make my breasts multitask by also touching up the skirting boards.
Times
14 minutes ago
- Times
Six easy recipes that boost your health in the menopause
Always eat for the age you are, not the age you'd like to be. Is that a saying? If not, it should be. As we go through life, our nutritional needs change — and it's in that spirit that Mary Berry's daughter, Belles, and Mariella Frostrup have devised a cookbook for women going through the menopause. As they say, 'This is not just a recipe book; it's a call to arms for those who don't consider advancing years a time to slow down but rather a time to recalibrate and renew.' Tony Turnbull This is a simple, energising midweek stew. Serves 4 . Time: 20 minutes • 1 tbsp olive oil• 4 skinless chicken breasts, cut into finger-size strips• 2 tbsp dark soy sauce or tamari• 2 tbsp miso paste• 400g tin of black beans, drained• 1 avocado, mashed• 400ml tin of coconut milk• Salt and pepper• Handful of baby spinach• Juice of 1 lime• Handful of herbs, to garnish• Flatbreads, rice or noodles, to serve 1. Heat the olive oil in a pan over a medium-high heat. Add the chicken strips and cook until browned on each side. Mix the soy sauce and miso in a small bowl, then toss it in with the chicken in the pan.2. Add the black beans, avocado and coconut milk, and simmer uncoveredfor 5 minutes. Season to taste.3. Remove from the heat, throw in the spinach and stir in the lime juice. Serve with plenty of fresh herbs on top, with flatbreads, rice or noodles. NutritionBlack beans are an excellent source of fibre and support all aspects of health. We're both big fans of the fresh and tasty nature of Eastern-style dishes and this is another homage to Asian cuisine, using one of our favourite ingredients: makrut lime leaves. These are recommended to aid digestion and reduce bloating, but we love them because they taste so good. Serves 4. Time: up to 30 minutes • 2 tbsp olive oil• 250g chestnut mushrooms, sliced• 2 shallots, or 1 small brown onion, finely chopped• 4 garlic cloves, crushed or grated• 30g fresh root ginger, grated• 1 red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped• 5 fresh or 8 dried makrut lime leaves• 1 lemon grass stick, bashed with a rolling pin• 1 litre fish or vegetable stock• 2 tbsp tamarind paste• Salt and pepper• 4 skinless salmon fillets• Juice of 1 lime• 250g pak choi, ends trimmed and leaves separated• Handful of coriander leaves and 4 spring onions, sliced, to garnish 1. In a large frying pan that has a lid, heat the oil over a medium heat, then add the mushrooms and fry until golden.2. Add the shallots, garlic, ginger, chilli, lime leaves and lemon grass. Stir for a few minutes until softened, then pour in the stock and bring to the boil. Reduce to a simmer and gently cook for about 10 minutes to infuse all the flavours. Add the tamarind paste and stir well, then season to taste.3. Season the salmon fillets with salt and pepper, then add to the pan, cover with the lid, and poach in the broth for 7 minutes over a low heat until cooked through.4. Remove the lid, add the lime juice and place the pak choi leaves on top of the salmon, put the lid back on and cook for 2 minutes. Remove the lid and discard the lemon grass and lime leaves.5. Divide the pak choi leaves among four bowls, then top with the salmon fillets and spoon over the broth. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and spring onions. NutritionSalmon provides omega-3 fatty acids for heart and brain health. • Read more restaurant reviews and recipes from our food experts We love a frittata: a quick and easy one-pan breakfast. Serves 4. Time: 20 minutes • 300g silken tofu, drained• 8 large eggs• ¼ tsp flaky sea salt• 1 green chilli, deseeded and finely chopped• 1 tbsp olive oil• 80g pack of watercress, spinach and rocket• 30g cheddar cheese, grated• 6 radishes, sliced, to garnish• Roasted black sesame seeds, for sprinkling For the miso sauce • 3 tbsp miso paste• 3 tbsp Japanese rice wine vinegar• 2 tbsp maple syrup• 2 tbsp soy sauce• 1 tbsp sesame oil• Zest and juice of 2 limes• 5cm piece of fresh root ginger, peeled and finely chopped 1. Preheat the oven to 200C fan/gas 7. Place the tofu in a muslin cloth and squeeze out any excess water, then place in a medium bowl. Crack the eggs into this, add the salt and green chilli and mix well.2. Heat the olive oil in a 20cm nonstick, ovenproof frying pan that has a lid over a medium heat. Add half the watercress, spinach and rocket mixture and cook for 1 minute, then add the egg mixture and sprinkle the cheese on top. Cover and cook for 2 minutes, then transfer to the oven for 10 minutes, or until set. The frittata should bounce back when touched lightly.3. Meanwhile, make the miso sauce. Simply mix all the ingredients together in a small jug and set aside until ready to serve.4. Remove the frittata from the oven and slide it onto a serving board. Garnish with the remaining watercress, spinach and rocket leaves, sliced radishes and black sesame seeds. Serve the sauce on the side. NutritionEggs provide protein and vitamins for overall health. Superhealthy and refreshingly vibrant, this soup is great to serve cold for a summer lunch. Alternatively, warm it up in the colder months. Fresh flowers look so pretty on top, especially in the summer. Serves 4. Time: 15 minutes • 1 tbsp pine nuts• 2 tbsp olive oil• 1 tsp cumin seeds• 4 garlic cloves• 1 small green chilli, deseeded• 175g peas, fresh or frozen• 2 large ripe avocados• 1 cucumber, peeled and cut into 4• 2 tbsp shelled hemp• Juice of 1 lemon• 600ml vegetable stock• Dill sprigs and fresh edible flowers, to garnish (optional) For the whipped feta • 50g Greek feta, crumbled• 150g Greek yoghurt• Zest of 1 lemon• 1 garlic clove, crushed• 1 tbsp chopped mint• Salt and pepper 1. Heat a dry frying pan over a medium-high heat, toast the pine nuts until golden, then transfer to a small ramekin. In the same pan, heat the olive oil and sauté the cumin, garlic and chilli for 2-3 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside.2. For the whipped feta, place the feta, Greek yoghurt, lemon zest, garlic and mint in a medium bowl, whisk to combine, then season. Place in the fridge.3. Bring a pan of salted water to the boil, add the peas and bring to the boil, then drain and submerge the peas in a bowl of ice-cold water. Drain again.4. In a blender, combine the avocados, cucumber, shelled hemp, lemon juice and vegetable stock. Add the sautéed cumin, garlic and chilli along with the peas, then blitz until smooth. Season, then pour the soup into a large jug and chill in the fridge.5. Serve garnished with the whipped feta, toasted pine nuts and a few sprigs of fresh dill and edible flowers (if using). NutritionHemp seeds provide omega-3 fatty acids and protein. A healthy alternative to baked beans, and a potent source of dietary fibre, protein, vitamins and minerals. It's economical, easy to make, supports metabolic function, reduces fatigue, strengthens bones and boosts memory. What's not to love? Serves 2. Time: 15 minutes • 1 tbsp olive oil• 1 red onion, finely diced• 3 garlic cloves, crushed• 400g tin of cherry tomatoes• 2 tbsp rose harissa paste• 2 tsp soft dark brown sugar• 1 tsp cider vinegar• 400g tin of cannellini or haricot beans, drained and rinsed• Salt and pepper• 2 tbsp Greek yoghurt and a few saffron threads, to serve 1. Heat the oil in a medium pan over a medium heat. Add the onion and sauté for 2 minutes until softened, then add the garlic and cook for a further minute. Add the cherry tomatoes, harissa paste, sugar, vinegar and 3½ tbsp water. Simmer for 7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the beans and simmer for a further 5 minutes.2. Season to taste, then divide between two bowls. Serve with a dollop of Greek yoghurt, sprinkled with the saffron threads. NutritionTomatoes offer antioxidants and vitamin C to aid skin health and reduce inflammation. A fibre-fuelled salad with tahini and lime dressing, equally good as a main or a side dish beside your chosen protein. Serves 4-6. Time: up to 30 minutes • 250g buckwheat• 1 tbsp olive oil• 1 red onion, cut into 8 wedges• 5 thyme sprigs, plus 1 tbsp thyme leaves, finely chopped• 200g chestnut mushrooms, quartered• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar• 100g cavolo nero, stalks removed, roughly chopped• 200g Tenderstem broccoli, halved lengthways• 6 dates, pitted and chopped• 50g walnuts, chopped• 1 tbsp flaxseeds• Salt and pepper• 125g spinach For the tahini and lime dressing • 75g tahini• Juice of 1 lime• 1 tsp flaky sea salt• 2 garlic cloves• 20g parsley, plus extra to garnish• 50ml olive oil 1. Cook the buckwheat according to the packet instructions.2. Heat the oil in a large frying pan that has a lid over a medium-high heat, then add the onion and thyme sprigs and fry for 5 minutes. Increase the heat, add the mushrooms, and fry for a further 5 minutes until golden, then add the vinegar and cook for a further minute. Remove the thyme sprigs and transfer the mushrooms and onions to a large bowl.3. Using the same pan, add the cavolo nero and broccoli along with a cup of water and cook with the lid on for 4 minutes. Transfer to a bowl of cold water for a couple of minutes to stop the cooking process, then drain.4. Make the dressing. Using a food processor, add the tahini, lime, salt, garlic and parsley to the bowl and blitz to combine, then add the olive oil in a thin stream, mixing until it is incorporated.5. Add the cooked buckwheat, chopped dates and walnuts, flaxseeds and finely chopped thyme to the mushroom bowl and mix well. Season, to taste.6. Stir in the cavolo nero, broccoli and spinach. Add the salad dressing and toss to combine, then transfer to a serving bowl and sprinkle with fresh parsley. NutritionBuckwheat is rich in fibre and antioxidants, supporting digestive health and reducing inflammation. Extracted from Menolicious: Eat Your Way to a Better Menopause by Mariella Frostrup and Belles Berry, published on August 28 (DK Red, £22). Buy from or call 020 3176 2935. Free UK P&P on online orders over £25. Discount available for Times+ members
