Nurse wrongly accused of saline contamination was ‘a scapegoat’

A NURSE who spent more than six weeks in custody was made a “scapegoat” when police “jumped the gun” as she was charged with contaminating saline, her lawyer said.

Proceedings against Rebecca Leighton, 27, were discontinued on Friday as the investigation into the tampering of medical products at Stepping Hill hospital in Stockport, Cheshire, continues, with detectives investigating the deaths of seven patients.

She said her life became a “living hell” when she was arrested on 20 July, on suspicion of murder, and then formally accused of causing criminal damage with intent to endanger life two days later.

Her solicitor, Carl Richmond, said: “I got the feeling there had to be a scapegoat because there was absolute chaos at the hospital. I was imploring the police to bail her while they continued their inquiries but the decision was made to charge. They jumped the gun.”

Mr Richmond said no decision had been made yet to sue police for wrongful arrest but Ms Leighton, her family and her legal team would meet as soon as possible to discuss the matter.

During a bail application last month, it emerged the evidence at that stage against the nurse amounted to her fingerprint being on a saline bag which was damaged by a needle. Her thumb print was also discovered on the bottom of a bottle of anti-biotic fluid which contained insulin.

A judge at Manchester Crown Court was told “many people” had access to the bag and fluid.