19/05/2015

Killer Nurse Sentenced To Life In Prison

A nurse found guilty of murdering two patients at a hospital in Stockport where he worked has been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 35 years.

Victorino Chua, 49, deliberately contaminated products that were stored on acute treatment wards at Stepping Hill hospital with insulin, which would then be used by unsuspecting staff members to treat unsuspecting patients.

The insulin would cause them to suffer hypoglycaemia, a drop in blood sugar levels.

Chua was found guilty of the murders of Tracy Arden and Alfred Derek Weaver, known to his family as Derek.

He was also found guilty of intentionally causing grievous bodily harm to one patient who suffered a brain injury as a result of being poisoned and for whom Chua falsified his medical records, and attempting to intentionally cause grievous bodily harm to 21 other patients.

During a search of his house following his arrest, detectives recovered an autobiographical letter penned by Chua. In it he wrote: "I'm a nice person but there a devil in me – I'm evil at the same time angel," and: "So I'm writing this letter in case something happen to me my family can continue my case or can tell somebody to look at it and work out how and angel turn to an evil person. The bitter nurse confession. Got lots to tell but I just take it to my grave. (sic)"

Detective Superintendent Simon Barraclough, said: "We are pleased with today's sentence and I believe it reflects the seriousness of what Chua has done, and can hopefully go some way to providing a resolution for the victims and the families of those that he has so painfully harmed.

"On behalf of Greater Manchester Police, I would like to once again extend my sympathies to the families of Tracey Arden and Derek Weaver as well as all the victims of poisoning and their families."

(CD/JP)

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