THE Lucy Letby trial jury has been sent home after deliberations for a 17th day today (Thursday, August 10).

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.

One of the original 12 jurors was discharged last Thursday for, as trial judge Mr Justice James Goss explained: "good personal reasons".

On Tuesday, August 8, the judge gave a majority verdict ruling to the 11 remaining jurors.

The jury of seven women and four men has now been deliberating for over 86 hours.

On Thursday, August 10, the jury resumed deliberations at the later time of 11.55am. The judge told the jury he apologised for keeping the jury waiting, as he had to "deal with a matter" which was "nothing to worry about".

The jury deliberated between 11.55am-4pm.

The judge added for Friday - day 18 of deliberations - the court sitting time would be between 1pm-4.30pm, as a juror had a prior commitment.

He added that, should the deliberations continue into next week, the proposed deliberation hours would be extended to 10.30am-4.30pm, rather than 10.30am-4pm. That would be dependent on jurors being able to manage those hours. 

Today marked 10 months since the trial began before a jury, and one month since the jury began deliberations.

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