The only child 'suffocated' with love who grew up to be a serial killer

ONLY child Lucy Letby wept in court when her treasured cats Tigger and Smudge were sent away for adoption after she was arrested but had no pity for the defenceless babies she killed.

- Chris Riches

Every day her parents sat in Manchester Crown Court's public gallery and supported their daughter, never believing her capable of such horrors.

So how did this person described by police as a "beige" personality come to be such a cold, calculating angel of death? Letby was born in Hereford on January 4, 1990, to furniture salesman John Letby, then 44, and accounts clerk Susan, then 29.

Young Lucy grew up in a loving family, doting on her pet cats. She watched Disney movies and revealed her career dream was to "work with children".

After A-levels she went on to study nursing at the University of Chester, to the pride of her mum and dad.

She told the court she chose her sixth-form  studies to "best support that career" and became the "first person in her family to go to university".

But her trial heard Mr Letby, now 77 and Mrs Letby, 63, "hated it" when she did not return home after graduation.

She felt "constantly guilty" and found their love "suffocating".

Messaging a friend who joked about emigrating to New Zealand, Letby stressed her parents "would be completely devastated", adding: "Find it hard enough being away from me now and it's only 100 miles. I came here to uni & didn't go back. They hate it & I feel guilty for staying here sometimes but it's what I want." Letby told another pal: "My parents worry massively about everything & anything, hate that I live alone etc.