We have authorised Greater Manchester Police to charge Rebecca Leighton, a nurse at Stepping Hill Hospital, with three charges of criminal damage intending to endanger life, three charges of criminal damage being reckless as to whether life would be endangered and one charge of theft.
Nazir Afzal, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West, said:
“We have carefully considered the evidence that the police have referred to us at this stage of their investigations into the unexplained deaths of five patients at Stepping Hill Hospital. We have now decided that there is sufficient evidence to charge Rebecca Leighton with three charges of criminal damage intending to endanger life, three charges of criminal damage being reckless as to whether life would be endangered and one charge of theft.
“These are serious charges that relate to allegations that Rebecca Leighton tampered with medical products, saline ampoules and saline bags in Stepping Hill Hospital and by doing so endangered the lives of patients. She will appear at City Magistrates’ Court, Manchester, on 23 July.
“This is a complex, ongoing police investigation. We will continue to work with police and provide advice as they continue their detailed enquiries. We will of course review any further evidence they provide to us and decide whether any further charges should be brought.
“Rebecca Leighton is charged with serious offences, proceedings are active under the Contempt of Court Act 1981, and it is extremely important that nothing should be reported which could prejudice a fair trial.”
The maximum sentence for criminal damage intending to endanger life or being reckless as to whether life would be endangered is life imprisonment. The maximum sentence for theft is seven years imprisonment.
