Lucy Letby vows: 'I will not give up' in new letter from behind bars

The film includes an interview with Maisie, a friend of Letby’s from their time at the University of Chester.

Maisie, whose image in the documentary is digitally altered to protect her identity, received a letter from Letby where she described her life inside HMP Bronzefield in Surrey.

She also described missing her two cats, and her optimism despite her imprisonment.

It read: “Maisie, there are no words to describe my situation but knowing that I have your friendship regardless is so important and special to me.

“I have my own room and toilet. I am able to shower each day and go outside for a walk. Getting outside is so important even though it’s a bit chilly.

“I miss Tigger and Smudge so much — it’s heartbreaking they can’t understand why I’m no longer there. They must think I’m a terrible mummy!

“Mum and Dad are taking good care of them though and are no doubt spoiling them. I’m trying to do all I can to remain strong and positive.

“I’m determined to get through this. I will not give up.”

Letby is currently serving 15 life sentences after being found guilty of murdering seven babies, as well as the attempted murder of another seven at the Countess of Chester Hospital between 2015 and 2016.

Maisie said: “Up until the trial and the verdict I would write to Lucy and she would write back. I’d always try to be really positive and now I don’t know what to say.

“There’s always doubt because as much as you know someone you never [know] the whole of someone.

“But unless I saw actual evidence I can’t believe it. I know that people think I support a baby murderer but she’s my friend and currently in jail, forever.”

Letby’s parents accused documentary-makers ITN Productions of a “complete invasion of privacy” after footage was released of her three arrests at their family home.

The documentary includes Letby talking to police about the “smoking gun” handwritten note, which included the phrases “I am evil” and “I killed them”.

Letby said: “I wrote it because everything had got on top of me.”

She continued: “And that made me feel guilty. I was blaming myself. But not because I’d done something. Because of the way people were making me feel.”

Mark McDonald, one of Letby’s barristers, said counsellors told her to write down her feelings as a form of therapy.

He said: “It wasn’t a confession note at all.”

The mother of one of the victims described the emotions she felt after Letby’s guilty verdict.

She said: “I felt relieved, happy - and then instantly broken because now this is true, and I can’t escape this reality.”