Lucy Letby, found guilty of newborn murders, has refused to attend her sentencing, which has raised questions about criminal sentencing procedures. There have been calls for legislation for compulsory attendance at sentencing hearings, as Letby joins the list of high-profile killers who refused to attend their sentencing hearings.
Lucy Letby, according to reports, has expressed not to attend her sentencing in a serial killing case in which she was found guilty of murdering seven newborn babies. In a dramatic courtroom twist this past week, the 33-year-old at the heart of the case stated she won't leave her cell for sentencing, as she was reportedly ashamed to face the families of the infants she has been convicted of harming. With a life sentence expected on Monday, she's sticking to her decision.
On August 8, Letby, 33, was present in the courtroom as the jury announced its initial two guilty verdicts for attempted murder. She appeared again on August 11 when she received convictions for four murders and two additional attempted murders.
However, after the court session on August 11, as the jury departed for the weekend, the defendant did not reappear in the dock. The subsequent week saw Letby's return to the courtroom, culminating in her final appearance in Court Seven on the morning of August 16. It was during this session that Trial Judge Mr. Justice Goss sent the jury out to continue their deliberations.
Further verdicts emerged later the same day in her absence and were reiterated on August 17. The court was informed that Letby had conveyed to her legal team her decision not to return to the dock. Despite being transported from prison to the court premises, she remained in the cells, declining to come to the dock.
Letby has also told her lawyers she was done participating in the proceedings, including the upcoming sentencing on Monday. I
Judge Goss was reported to have said that the court could not force the defendant to attend a sentencing hearing. Lucy Letby is also the latest killer who has refused to attend her sentencing, after Thomas Cashman, the killer of an eight-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel, and Jordan McSweeney, the killer of Zara Aleena, declined to attend court proceedings.
There have been calls for new legislation which forces criminals to face their sentencing hearing and face the people affected by their crimes.