Saline nurse death case dropped

2 September 2011 Last updated at 11:56 ET

Prosecutors have dropped the case against nurse Rebecca Leighton, who was charged with contaminating saline at a Greater Manchester hospital.

Ms Leighton, 27, of Heaviley, was arrested by police investigating the deaths of several patients at Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport.

The Crown Prosecution Service said it was “no longer appropriate” to continue the case against Ms Leighton.

It has told the prison where she was being held that she can be released.

The Chief Crown Prosecutor for the North West, Nazir Afzal said: “Rebecca Leighton was charged on the basis that there was a reasonable suspicion she had committed the offences and there were reasonable grounds for believing the continuing investigation would provide further evidence within a reasonable amount of time.

“When we make a decision on this basis it would be wrong of us to keep a suspect in custody indefinitely without keeping a very close eye on what evidence is emerging and whether objections to bail can be justified.

“The inquiries, which are still ongoing, have not so far provided us with a stronger case which would meet the test that there is sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction. This is the test all cases must meet for a prosecution to go ahead.”

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