LUCY LETBY messaged a nursing colleague: "If they have nothing or minimal on me they'll look silly" during a Countess of Chester Hospital investigation into unexplained baby deaths.

The trial at Manchester Crown Court saw the latest collection of messages recovered from Letby's phone, revealing relevant messages between June and September 2016.

Letby denies murdering seven babies and attempting to murder 10 others between June 2015 and June 2016.

The messages displayed to the court were after Child Q – the 17th and final baby in the case, chronologically – had suffered a collapse which could not be explained at the time.

'I'm worried I'm in trouble'

On June 27, 2016, Letby messaged a doctor colleague at 5.41pm: "Eirian [Lloyd Powell, neonatal unit manager] has just phoned telling me not to come in tonight & do days instead. I asked if there was a problem & she said No, just trying to protect me a bit & we can have a chat about it tomorrow but now I'm worried."

Letby also messaged a nursing colleague at the same time: "E just phoned telling me to do days this week and not Go in tonight as trying to protect me."

Neither of the colleagues can be named.

After the nursing colleague asked: "What's that mean?", Letby replied: "I don't know. Asked if there was a problem and she said No just trying to protect me as had a difficult run just before holidays, less people on nights etc and we can have a chat etc tomorrow.

"But Im worried Im in trouble or something."

The nurse colleague replied: "Don't worry, how can you be in trouble you haven't done anything wrong.

"Just very unfortunate."

Letby: "I know but worrying in case they think i missed something or whatever. Why leave it til now to ring."

The nurse colleague replied: "It is very late I agree. Maybe she's getting pressure from elsewhere?"

Letby: "She said it's busy so more support for me on days and can look at the paperwork bits etc. She was nice enough I just worry. This job messes with your head"

Letby later messaged the doctor: "I can't do this job if it's going to be like this. My head is a mess. Why is she ringing at this time. There must be a problem."

The doctor replied: "Lucy - you did nothing wrong at all. It is an odd time to ring, but you've had a rough few days and a good manager would realise that."

'Meltdown'

After the doctor messaged with further reassurance, Letby responded: "I can't talk about this now. Sorry, I just need a bit of time.

"Sorry, that was rude. Felt completely overwhelmed & panicked for a minute. We all worked tirelessly & did everything possible, i don't see how anyone can question that. E has always been very supportive.

"Im having a meltdown++ but think that's what I need to do."

Letby worked long day shifts from June 28-30 at the neonatal unit – her last days there.

On July 6, the doctor messaged Letby: "You need to keep this to yourself. The meeting this afternoon looked at everything with Baby O & Baby P from birth onwards. [NB. Name of Baby O and P redacted]

"We reviewed everything. Room / meds / medical reviews and actions. We looked at all documentation med & nur. If you've any doubt about how good you are at your job - stop now.

"The documentation was perfect, everybody commented about the appropriateness of your request for a review of Baby O following vomit. (name of baby O redacted). Your documentation of the resus / incubation / drugs was faultless.

"There is absolutely nothing for you to worry about. Please don't.

"There are going to be some recommendations based on staffing / kit but there was no criticism of either resus.

"This is staying quiet until has been to exec's. We're looking at [third triplet] care on Thur.

"E had nothing but good things to say about you."

Letby replied: "Ok......I Really appreciate you telling me - it won't go any further. I was one member of a huge team effort, but you know I've been carrying the worry of the 'what if I wasn't enough' - it's reassuring to hear that it doesn't appear that anything could have been done differently, or that I didn't act on or do something I should have. Thank you."

Letby is sent an email, made by Countess Dr Stephen Brearey, advising that the deaths of Child O and Child P were likely to result in an inquest, as the cause of both deaths was 'unexplained'.

Letby asked: "It's a bit of a worry if it's going that far. Do you think I'll be involved?" Letby is reassured: "Probably not."

The doctor added: "I know you won't say anything - this email has to stay between us, is that ok?"

On July 15, 2016, neonatal manager Eirian Lloyd Powell messages nursing staff advising them in preparation for "the external review", "all members of staff need to undertake a period of clinical supervision", acknowledging there are "staffing issues".

Lucy Letby is recorded as agreeing to undergo the supervision commencing from July 18.

The email adds: "I appreciate that this process may be an added stress factor in an already emotive environment, but we need to ensure that we can assure a safe environment, in addition to safeguarding not only our babies but our staff.

"This is not meant to be a blame or competency issue – but a way forward to ensure that our practice is safe."

The same day, Letby messages her nursing colleague: "I've done a timeline of this year."

'I haven't done anything wrong'

The colleague responds: "Fab. And how quite afew babies weren't compatable with life anyway. I wonder if midwives get this with amount of stillbirths......"

Letby: "Yeah and some went off within hours/on handover.

"Or were already acutely unwell when I took over.

"And put that when Baby Q went off No other staff able to care for him etc (name of Baby Q redacted)."

The colleague responds: "Not like all behaving fantastically till right into shift."

Letby: "Hoping to get as much info together as possible -if they have nothing or minimal on me they'll look silly, not Me."

On July 19, Letby began work in the patient experience team.

On August 8, Letby messages the nursing colleague: "Tony phoned. He's going to speak to Karen and insist on the review being no later than 1st week of Sept but said he definitely wouldn't advise pushing to get back to unit until it's taken place. Asked about social things and he said it's up to me but would advise not speaking with anyone in case any of them are involved with the review process. Thinks I should keep head down.and ride it out and can take further once over.

"Feel a bit like Im being shoved in a corner and.forgotten about by.the trust. It's my life and career.

"He's not been.given any information about the evidence he asked for.which is good. He's not sure what the external people.are going to look at in relation to me but we are in the process now.so have to ride it out"

The colleague responds: "Ok well just have to take his advice then suppose"

Letby: "Still can't believe this has happened. It's making me feel like I should hide away by saying not speak to anyone and going on for months etc - I haven't done anything wrong."

The colleague responds: "Me neither! I know it's all so ridiculous."

Letby: "I can't see where it will all end"

The colleague responds: "I'm sure this time after xmas it'll all b a distant memory."

After Letby received an email announcing she had been seconded to the Risk & Patient Safety office for three months, she messaged the nursing colleague again, saying: "Bloody hell fuming. Im in email and makes it sound like my choice."

The timeline records Letby met with a review panel on September 1. On September 7, she registered a grievance procedure.

The trial, currently in its 23rd week before a jury, adjourns today (Thursday, April 6) for the Easter break, and is expected to resume on Monday, April 17.