THE jury deliberations in the trial of baby murder-accused nurse Lucy Letby has been adjourned again today (Monday, July 31).

Letby, 33, denies murdering seven babies at the Countess of Chester Hospital neonatal unit and attempting to murder 10 more.

After nine months of hearing evidence, the jurors had retired to consider verdicts on the 22 charges Letby faces on Monday, July 10.

The 22 charges are seven of murder, and 15 of attempted murder, which the prosecution allege happened at the neonatal unit between June 2015 and June 2016.

No deliberations took place in the week of July 17-21, and the jury of 12 resumed deliberations from Monday, July 24. So far, the jury has been deliberating for about 50 hours.

Jurors have been told to provide unanimous verdicts on each of the 22 counts.

A juror absence on Monday meant no deliberations took place on Monday. Trial judge Mr Justice James Goss told the remaining 11 jurors that enquiries had been made, and he was satisfied there were 'good reasons' that juror was not available, but that there was a good expectation that juror would be back on Tuesday.

He said he appreciated the juror deliberations were "at a critical stage" and this was an "exceptional circumstance which had arisen". 

He added: "Sometimes these things happen, and it has happened."

He apologised to the jurors for the inconvenience.

The trial is expected to resume on Tuesday at 10.30am.

The Standard will continue to provide news on any developments from court.

For a complete index of our coverage on the trial, visit  https://www.chesterstandard.co.uk/news/23152082.countess-nurse-lucy-letby-happened-trial-far/