Try GOLD - Free
Netflix documentary footage was not seen by Letby's legal team
The Observer
|February 01, 2026
Footage of the arrest of Lucy Letby, the convicted child serial killer, that will feature in a Netflix documentary released this week has never been shared with Letby or her current legal team, The Observer understands.
It was filmed on police body-worn cameras in November 2020, but never shown as evidence during her trial. Cheshire Police subsequently shared the footage exclusively with ITN, the makers of the feature-length documentary.
It was after this arrest that Letby was formally charged with eight counts of murder and 15 counts of attempted murder for deaths at the Countess of Chester Hospital in 2015 and 2016.
Lawyers acting on behalf of Letby questioned whether it was “necessary” to publish the footage, which shows her being taken from her bed at her parents’ home in Hereford and tearfully telling her family “don't look”, as she is led to a police car.
Letby’s barrister, Mark McDonald, who took part in the documentary, said the sharing of the footage with the public was “an invasion of the family and her [Letby’s] privacy”.
This story is from the February 01, 2026 edition of The Observer.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The Observer
The Observer
Deprived areas need attention for their own sake, not because Reform is in town
Numerous studies warn about pockets of deep poverty, but little is done by sitting governments until they feel under threat
4 mins
February 01, 2026
The Observer
Ghislaine 'took artistic pornographic photos'
In the vast trove of emails and photographs relating to the crimes of Jeffrey Epstein released on Friday, one image stands out: Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on all fours over a woman lying on the floor.
2 mins
February 01, 2026
The Observer
‘The government still has so little understanding of hospitality. It's perplexing’
Most mornings, when Tom Kerridge finishes a session at the gym, he grabs a coffee as a reward from a cafe in a corner of Marlow, Buckinghamshire, that is far from typically quaint.
8 mins
February 01, 2026
The Observer
'Choke her lightly': twisted dating tips for boys from Tate-inspired chatbot
Posing as a child, our reporter was given disturbing advice by a ChatGPT-hosted bot that mimics Andrew Tate
4 mins
February 01, 2026
The Observer
Borrowers face debt trap over credit score squeeze
Credit card borrowing rose at its fastest rate in nearly two years in the run-up to Christmas, and those debts are now due.
2 mins
February 01, 2026
The Observer
Song thrush
If music be the meaning of life, play on!
2 mins
February 01, 2026
The Observer
Dear Keir*
Grown-up advice from everyone's favourite centrist
3 mins
February 01, 2026
The Observer
English family's protest song strikes a chord in the US
The Marsh Family from Kent joins Billy Bragg and Bruce Springsteen in releasing songs about Minnesota
2 mins
February 01, 2026
The Observer
Hundreds killed after collapse of mine at the heart of DRC conflict
A landslide caused several mines to collapse in a rebel-held region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo last week, killing at least 200 people who were digging for a black metallic ore used in smartphones.
1 mins
February 01, 2026
The Observer
Gold surge takes shine off Brown’s time in No 11
As the gold price reaches new highs, topping $5,500 an ounce last week, it makes what once seemed like prudent risk-management by Gordon Brown look like one of the worst decisions in the history of finance.
1 min
February 01, 2026
Listen
Translate
Change font size
