Hospital sabotage death toll rises to five as nurse quizzed

Officers were last night granted additional time to question Rebecca Leighton, who was arrested on Wednesday at her home a mile away from her workplace at Stepping Hill Hospital, Stockport.

The deaths of Alfred Derek Weaver, 83, and an 84-year-old woman were yesterday linked to the contamination of saline solution with insulin at the hospital, where staff raised the alarm last week.

Mr Weaver, known as Derek, died yesterday after what was described as a hypoglycaemic episode on July 11.

In a statement, his brother, Graham, and sisters, Lynda and Margaret, said: “Derek was a self-taught electronic engineer and ran a successful alarm business in Stockport.

“He loved dining out at French restaurants and had a keen interest in cars and classical music.

“He was a lovely gentleman who will be deeply missed.”

Mr Weaver had lived in the Stockport area since the 1960s. His wife, Yvonne, died 20 years ago.

The unnamed 84-year-old patient died on July 14 but her case was referred by South Manchester Coroner John Pollard and officers are including the death in the investigation because of a recorded low blood sugar level. Both pensioners are understood to have been patients on the wards in question, A1 and A3.

Police were already looking at the suspicious deaths of Tracey Arden, 44, Arnold Lancaster, 71, and George Keep, 84, They died on July 7, July 11 and July 14 respectively.

A 40-year-old man who may also be linked to the investigation remains in a very poorly condition, Greater Manchester Assistant Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said.

Officers searched Miss Leighton’s flat in Heaviley, Stockport, on Wednesday as they took away bags of items and computer equipment for further examination.

Detectives launched an investigation after an experienced nurse reported a higher than normal number of patients on her ward with “unexplained” low blood sugar levels, pointing to saline containers being sabotaged.

Insulin was found to have contaminated a batch of 36 saline ampoules in a store room close to wards A1 and A3 of the hospital.

The results of further pathology tests to find out if the insulin contributed to the deaths of Ms Arden, Mr Keep and Mr Lancaster are still being awaited.

Police stress they are still treating the deaths as unexplained.

Post-mortem examinations will also be carried out over the latest deaths announced yesterday.

Mr Hopkins, said: “We have family liaison officers with both families and my thoughts are with them as they are with the relatives of all affected by this incident.

“I want to make it abundantly clear that we are working closely with the coroner and, as is to be expected, it is likely we will be asked to investigate further deaths.”

The Chief Constable added: “In the main these are likely to be deaths of people who are elderly and/or ill, and we fully support the coroner’s “belt and braces” approach to ensuring future deaths that require further investigation are appropriately investigated and scrutinised.

“I cannot emphasis enough how complex an investigation this is, requiring detailed forensic and medical analysis, and want to take the opportunity to thank the hospital and staff for their ongoing help and support.”

A team of 60 officers working on the case have questioned dozens of staff and patients at the hospital where security has been ramped up.

There have been no other reports of tampering confirmed.

In a statement, Greater Manchester Police said last night: “Police have been given more time to question a woman arrested on suspicion of murder.

The 27-year-old was arrested on Wednesday by detectives investigating the deaths of five patients at Stepping Hill Hospital.

“A warrant of further detention has been granted and is due to expire at 9.05pm on Friday.

“Inquiries are continuing.”