Latest news with #EthelHall
The Guardian
21 hours ago
- The Guardian
Nurse loses appeal against 2008 conviction for murder of four patients in Leeds
A nurse found guilty 17 years ago of murdering four elderly patients has been unsuccessful in an attempt to appeal against his convictions. Colin Campbell was jailed for a minimum of 30 years in 2008 for the murder of four women and attempting to kill a fifth by injecting them with insulin. They were all inpatients on orthopaedic wards in Leeds where he worked in 2002. Doris Ludlam, 80, Bridget Bourke, 88, Irene Crookes, 79, and 86-year-old Ethel Hall died from hypoglycaemia, where blood sugar drops dangerously low. There was no direct evidence against him. The Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC), which referred the convictions to the court of appeal in London four years ago, said the case against him was 'wholly circumstantial'. Campbell, 49, was alleged to have been present when or shortly before each of the patients suffered hypoglycaemia. The rarity of such a cluster of cases happening within a short space of time led prosecutors to argue that the nurse must have been responsible. Campbell, who has changed his name from Norris, had also unsuccessfully appealed against his conviction in 2009.
Scottish Sun
06-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
Scottish serial killer in fresh freedom bid as family claims new evidence proves he's innocent
Doubt was cast on the expert opinion relied upon by the prosecution at his trial JAIL BREAK Scottish serial killer in fresh freedom bid as family claims new evidence proves he's innocent Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A KILLER nurse's appeal case is set to begin as his family claims new evidence proves he's innocent. Colin Norris was jailed for at least 30 years after being found guilty of injecting his elderly victims with deadly doses of insulin. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Norris, top left, being interviewed by cops Credit: PA 5 Irene Crookes was one of the four women Norris was convicted of murdering Credit: Handout 5 Norris was found guilty of giving the women, including Ethel Hall, massive injections of insulin Credit: Handout 5 Bridget Bourke also died at Leeds General Hospital Credit: Handout 5 Norris was convicted of the murder of Doris Ludlam Credit: Handout He was also done for trying to kill a fifth woman. The Glaswegian was convicted in 2008 following a trial at Newcastle Crown Court over the deaths at two Leeds hospitals in 2002. His victims included Ethel Hall, 86, Doris Ludlam, 80, and Bridget Bourke, 88, who all died at Leeds General Hospital. Another victim, Irene Crooks, 79, passed away at St James's Hospital. Norris was also convicted of attempting to kill Vera Wilby, 90, by the same method. He has been serving a life sentence at HMP Frankland in County Durham. Norris' case was referred to the Court of Appeal in 2021 after doubt was cast on the verdicts. The Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) revealed "new expert evidence" had come to light because of new scientific developments and understanding. His appeal will begin today with experts suggesting that the hypoglycaemia in four of the women - other than Mrs Hall - may be accounted for by natural causes. Norris' mother, June Morrison, hopes justice will be served after a series of delays. Lucy Letby's legal team launch fresh bid against convictions for murdering babies – as new evidence is revealed She said: "It took five years before his trial commenced, almost two years until his first appeal, ten years before the CCRC referred his conviction back to the courts and another four years before his appeal hearing. "Now at long last, we hope justice will be done so he regains the freedom he should never have lost with his name cleared."
