A court anonymity order has been lifted on Dr. Mark Deakin, a doctor at Countess of Chester and Alder Hey hospitals, who was described as Lucy Letby's 'boyfriend' during her trial. Deakin died in July at age 53.
The lifting of the anonymity order on Dr. Mark Deakin provides further insight into the personal relationships and professional conduct surrounding Lucy Letby's crimes, potentially impacting ongoing inquiries and public understanding of the case.
Dr. Mark Deakin, a doctor at the Countess of Chester and Alder Hey hospitals who was described as Lucy Letby's 'boyfriend' during her trial, has been identified after a court anonymity order was lifted. Deakin died in July at the age of 53.
Reports indicate that Deakin's death occurred shortly after he learned of his dismissal for breaching patient confidentiality through text message exchanges with Letby. He had reportedly been unwell, and an inquest into his death is expected to be opened.
Details of Deakin's personal interactions with Letby emerged during the Thirlwall inquiry, which investigated how the nurse's crimes were committed. The inquiry heard that the pair exchanged over 1,000 Facebook messages, and Deakin assisted Letby in obtaining a placement at Alder Hey hospital even after suspicions arose regarding her involvement in infant deaths. Deakin testified to the inquiry that he felt 'misled' and 'manipulated' by Letby, believing she had tricked him into providing information about babies she had attacked.
During Letby's criminal trial, Deakin provided evidence concerning several babies and was granted special measures, including anonymity, allowing him to testify from behind a screen. His testimony detailed emergency calls and resuscitations in which he and Letby were jointly involved, and their extensive text message exchanges were presented to the jury.
Letby denied that Deakin was her boyfriend during cross-examination, though she admitted to taking a trip to London with him. The prosecuting barrister suggested Letby's discomfort in court was due to hearing her 'boyfriend' testify, a suggestion Letby called 'unfair'. Prosecutors also revealed WhatsApp messages where a friend teased Letby about being 'flirty' with Deakin, a suggestion Letby denied, stating 'There was nothing between me and that Mark.'