Tweet
2 September 2011
Last updated at 13:13 ET
Prosecutors have dropped the case against nurse Rebecca Leighton, who was charged with contaminating saline at a Greater Manchester hospital.
Ms Leighton, 27, of Heaviley, was arrested by police investigating the deaths of several patients at Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport.
Greater Manchester Police have revealed they are investigating 40 cases of contamination including seven deaths.
Police believe that at least two deaths were the result of contaminated saline.
The Crown Prosecution Service said it was "no longer appropriate" to continue the case against Ms Leighton.
Chief Crown Prosecutor for the North West, Nazir Afzal, said: "Rebecca Leighton was charged on the basis that there was a reasonable suspicion she had committed the offences and there were reasonable grounds for believing the continuing investigation would provide further evidence within a reasonable amount of time.
"When we make a decision on this basis it would be wrong of us to keep a suspect in custody indefinitely without keeping a very close eye on what evidence is emerging and whether objections to bail can be justified.
"The inquiries, which are still ongoing, have not so far provided us with a stronger case which would meet the test that there is sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction. This is the test all cases must meet for a prosecution to go ahead."
The CPS has told the prison where she was being held that she can be released.
Alarm raised Greater Manchester Police were initially looking into the deaths of five patients at the hospital, although two were later dropped from the investigation.
Police continue to probe the suspicious deaths of Tracey Arden, 44, Arnold Lancaster, 71 and Derek Weaver, 83.
However, it's now been confirmed that four more deaths at Stepping Hill are being investigated, as well as a total of 40 people being taken ill.
The alarm was raised when a higher than normal number of patients were reported to have "unexplained" low blood sugar levels.
Several charges were made against Ms Leighton in July relating to the alleged tampering of saline ampoules, saline bags and medical products.
These - along with one charge of theft of medication from the hospital - have now been dropped.
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has said that an interim order suspending Ms Leighton from the its register would remain in place.
Powered By WizardRSS.com | Full Text RSS Feed | Amazon Plugin | Settlement Statement | WordPress Tutorials
Ms Leighton, 27, of Heaviley, was arrested by police investigating the deaths of several patients at Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport.
Greater Manchester Police have revealed they are investigating 40 cases of contamination including seven deaths.
Police believe that at least two deaths were the result of contaminated saline.
The Crown Prosecution Service said it was "no longer appropriate" to continue the case against Ms Leighton.
Chief Crown Prosecutor for the North West, Nazir Afzal, said: "Rebecca Leighton was charged on the basis that there was a reasonable suspicion she had committed the offences and there were reasonable grounds for believing the continuing investigation would provide further evidence within a reasonable amount of time.
"When we make a decision on this basis it would be wrong of us to keep a suspect in custody indefinitely without keeping a very close eye on what evidence is emerging and whether objections to bail can be justified.
"The inquiries, which are still ongoing, have not so far provided us with a stronger case which would meet the test that there is sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction. This is the test all cases must meet for a prosecution to go ahead."
The CPS has told the prison where she was being held that she can be released.
Alarm raised Greater Manchester Police were initially looking into the deaths of five patients at the hospital, although two were later dropped from the investigation.
Police continue to probe the suspicious deaths of Tracey Arden, 44, Arnold Lancaster, 71 and Derek Weaver, 83.
However, it's now been confirmed that four more deaths at Stepping Hill are being investigated, as well as a total of 40 people being taken ill.
The alarm was raised when a higher than normal number of patients were reported to have "unexplained" low blood sugar levels.
Several charges were made against Ms Leighton in July relating to the alleged tampering of saline ampoules, saline bags and medical products.
These - along with one charge of theft of medication from the hospital - have now been dropped.
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has said that an interim order suspending Ms Leighton from the its register would remain in place.
Powered By WizardRSS.com | Full Text RSS Feed | Amazon Plugin | Settlement Statement | WordPress Tutorials