World News

Doctor linked to Lucy Letby named following lifting of court anonymity order

Dr. Mark Deakin, who testified during Letby's trial and died in July at age 53, is publicly identified after legal restrictions are removed.

Updated Sep 2, 2026 · 14:20 UTC1 reports

The short version

A court has lifted an anonymity order protecting Dr. Mark Deakin, a doctor who worked with convicted baby killer Lucy Letby and was characterized by prosecutors during her trial as her boyfriend.
Deakin died in July at age 53, and an inquest into his death is scheduled to take place.
The ongoing Thirlwall inquiry into Letby's crimes, which heard evidence regarding Deakin's communications with Letby, is scheduled to release its findings on September 15.

Mark Deakin worked alongside Lucy Letby at the Countess of Chester Hospital during the 2015-2016 period when her crimes occurred, and he later served as a consultant at Alder Hey Children's Hospital.[BBC News]
Deakin testified behind a screen under an anonymity order during Letby's criminal trial, detailing emergency calls and text message exchanges between them.[BBC News]
During cross-examination at trial, Letby denied that Deakin was her boyfriend, though she acknowledged they had taken a trip to London together.[BBC News]
Testifying before the Thirlwall inquiry, Deakin stated that he felt misled and manipulated by Letby into sharing information about attacked infants and expressed regret for assisting her.[BBC News]
Letby is serving 15 whole-life orders for the murders of seven babies and attempted murders of six others, with her convictions currently under review by the Criminal Cases Review Commission.[BBC News]

The precise cause of Deakin's death has not been established and remains subject to an upcoming inquest, though he was reported to have been unwell.[BBC News]
Reports that Deakin died shortly after being dismissed from his position for breaching patient confidentiality in messages with Letby have not been officially confirmed by authorities.[BBC News]