THE mother of Child D came forward to read a statement at Manchester Crown Court for the sentencing of killer nurse Lucy Letby on Monday.

She said: “Her wicked sense of entitlement and abuse of her role as a trusted nurse is truly a scandal.

“After today I hope to be free of this limbo state I have been stuck in. The heavy load constantly on my mind has deeply changed me.

“My heart broke into a million pieces the second [Child D] lost her battle against evil and that is when hell broke loose for us.

“Those lives were not yours to take and although I am torn with sadness, anger and unanswered questions...I cannot forgive you. There is no forgiving, not now, not ever.”

The mother added she was offered the chance for Child D to be an organ donor, which she was prepared to accept as a baby needed a heart, but as a post-mortem examination was required, that was not possible and broke her heart even more.

The mother continued: “Our family cleared all traces of baby stuff around the house, removed the baby seat from the car, took [Child D’s] hospital bag back home. All was stored inside her bedroom and the door remained closed for many months.”

The mother told the court Child D’s funeral service was on the day before her due date, and her ashes were buried “in a tiny box on her actual due date”.

“Those weeks were particularly difficult. I couldn’t rest or stop thinking about all the little things I should be doing instead. My arms, my heart, my life all felt so painfully empty.

“I missed [Child D] so much. I was desperate to feel her, smell her, cuddle her. I needed to be her mum in every way to look after her and keep her safe.

“I felt so guilty and questioned if any of this was my fault. Did I miss something, did I do something wrong? Did I fail my daughter?”

Child D’s mother told the court she sought legal advice and “things just didn’t add up”, adding: “Thank God the police started their investigation.”

The mother said: “I feel not only I lost [Child D] but lost all those years of my life too. Since [Child D] passed away I lived inside my own shadow. I have had multiple therapies, panic attacks, dark thoughts plus many struggles to overcome.”

The mother was also called as a witness in the trial, which meant she was not able to sit in for the first few weeks. Her husband went to court every day but was not allowed to speak to her about any of the trial until she gave evidence.

Child D’s mother said: “When I finally gave my evidence and sat on the public gallery to listen to all the facts the prosecution team has gathered, it was clearly overwhelming.

“It felt invasive having [Child D’s] short life exposed to the public, and sit through, listening to all the babies’ tragic stories. At the same time I found comfort, getting some answers, be able to ask questions and finally meet other families.

“We wanted justice for [Child D] and that day has come.”