Trial Date For Saline Accused Nurse

A nurse arrested in connection with deaths at Stockport's Stepping Hill hospital will go on trial in February next year.

Rebecca Leighton was arrested at her flat last month by detectives investigating the deaths of patients at the hospital.

She is accused of three counts of criminal damage with intent to endanger life and three counts of being reckless as to whether life was being endangered.

The charges relate to the alleged tampering of saline ampoules, saline bags and medical products.

The Stepping Hill employee is also charged with theft of medicine.

Appearing via videolink at Manchester Crown Court, Leighton was remanded in custody ahead of a provisional trial on February 28 next year.

She is next due to appear in court on October 17 for a plea and case management hearing.

Last week, Greater Manchester Police said it was no longer investigating the death of one of five patients, who was from Cheadle, at the centre of the tampering probe.

The family of George Keep, who died aged 84 after being admitted to the hospital with a broken hip, was told his death no longer formed part of the inquiry.

Police continue to probe the suspicious deaths last month of Tracey Arden, 44, Arnold Lancaster, 71, Derek Weaver, 83, and Vera Pearson, 84.