'Scapegoat' nurse to sue police
The woman who was remanded for six weeks over the saline drip murders of several hospital patients has been released from jail and plans to sue.
27-year-old Rebecca Leighton was arrested on suspicion of murder over the deaths of patients at Stepping Hill Hospital, Stockport, who were allegedly given insulin-contaminated saline solution.
Police now say they believe two killers were at work at the hospital, and say they will leave "no stone unturned in their investigation into the deaths of seven hospital patients and there are plans to interview at least another 500 potential witnesses."
Miss Leighton, however, says she wants to sue the police for a reported six-figure sum, claiming wrongful arrest.
She said: "I have been living in hell and was locked up in prison for something I had not done."
Carl Richmond, her solicitor, told the UK's Daily Telegraph: "I got the feeling there had to be a scapegoat because there was absolute chaos at the hospital and it could not function because of all the speculation."
He said: "I don't know how Rebecca kept it together. She spent the entire 42 days in a special 'first night' centre designed for new prisoners.
"Rebecca was forced to stay on her own. Other inmates shouted through their cell doors that she was a murderer.
"One even spread a rumour one of the patients who died was her granddad and Rebecca would be attacked if she showed herself."
Rebecca was arrested over the unexplained deaths of a 44-year-old woman and two men aged 84 and 71.
The case against her fell apart when police realised a saline bag had her fingerprints on it but was not tampered with.
Police found evidence of two sets of fingerprints on the tampered stock. They believe they're ready to apprehend a male suspect who works within the hospital and has access to medical supplies.
Meanwhile, despite her ordeal Rebecca wants to clear her name and may even work as a nurse.
Her solicitor said: "She wants the opportunity to have her suspension lifted and then she will make the decision what to do next."
"She has worked as a nurse for a long time so that’s in her thoughts but she’s still a bit raw. She wants to clear her name professionally and that’s her priority."
