Inside the minds of Lucy Letby supporters who dream about her ‘restraining’ them
Lucy Letby fans are quite literally lusting over her, sharing sexual fantasies online.
Taking to Facebook groups, scores of middle aged men ask about more photos and revealing sexual fantasies.
A speed dating night for her supporters has even been organised, with all lovers arriving with one thing in common – they believe the killer nurse is innocent.
Letby was found guilty of the murder of seven babies at the Countess of Chester hospital and the attempted murder of seven more.
She was sentenced to carry out 15 whole life orders, and the Thirwall Inquiry has been formed to look into the evidence surrounding the killings, and is expected to publish conclusions in the autumn.
But rather than concentrating on the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) – which investigates potential miscarriages of justice, parties and date nights are being thrown in her honour.
‘I had a dream last night, Lucy used restraints on me’
Members of the Facebook group Lucy Letby Support Page not only discuss why they believe her to be innocent, but also about her appearance and wondering ‘when they’ll get fresh pics of her’.
One member recently commented how he wanted to get in contact with her parents to ask for new images, to which a user replied: ‘You are a dirty old man.’
Past groups have not even tried to disguise their lust, including the now closed ‘Pervert$ unite to support Lucy Letby’, The Sun reports.
One member wrote: ‘I had a dream last night, Lucy used restraints on me & proceeded to abuse me, it was very pleasant.’
And another said: ‘In womens’ prisons are the inmates allowed to wear thongs…?’
But sadly this is not unusual.
Criminologist Emma Cunningham said both fascination surrounding the case and women being objectified has caused these thoughts.
She told Metro: ‘Historically women have been objectified and fantasised over in society, and media has been a huge part of this.
‘Social media amplifies many of these outdated notions often alongside misogynistic ideas about women as sexual objects and nurses, have always been included within such ideas.’
Why do Lucy Letby supporters believe she is innocent?
There is a growing group of people who whole-heartedly believe Lucy Letby is innocent.
The consensus within that community is she being used a ‘scapegoat’ by the Countess of Chester Hospital and the wider NHS to hide failings.
Criminologist at the University of East London Emma Cunningham saida combination of Letby’s legal defence, distrust and the inability to accept a nurse could be responsible for these killings has pushed people into scepticism.
She told Metro: ‘While there may be distrust in policing and the justice system, this case also illustrated flaws in the national health system and the problems and shortcomings of the executives within it.
‘Expectations about the nature of women and what they are seen to be capable of in terms of crime will have been pushed to the limits within this case.
‘Nurses are seen as nurturing caregivers, as are women in general terms, and women who go against these norms are seen to be doubly deviant – having gone against their nature as well as going against the law.
‘Seeing Letby as an innocent nurse who has been misjudged rather than as a young woman who was a prolific killer may be easier to understand and accept.’
‘Pilgrimages’ for Lucy Letby
Outside of sexual fantasies, supporters are finding other ways to engage with her cause, going so far as to visit her town and the hospital.
Professor Richard Gill, who is based in the Netherlands and believes the killer nurse is ‘almost certainly’ innocent, said he has visited her home town of Chester.
He said: ‘The next time I’m in Chester I’d like to visit the street where Lucy lived and walk from there to the hospital.
‘I already visited the hospital. These are not pilgrimages. It’s about getting a feeling for the people involved in the story.’
Emma said: ‘Such pilgrimages and support for Letby is concerning where her status and well-being appears to override any thought of sensitivity of this case and especially from the bereaved families.
‘Many people are fascinated with real crime stories, as any TV guide can illustrate, and crime scenes have been visited by those who have felt they could offer something to a case even though the police have warned of them disrupting crime scenes and the potential for losing evidence.’
Speed dating for Lucy Letby
In February, it emerged a speed dater was planning on holding a themed speed dating event at a pub in Clapham.
Supporter Lulu tee said she wanted to hold a Valentine’s Day event for people who believe Letby is innocent.
A birthday party was also organised for her on January 4 while she languishes behind bars, including prosecco, homemade banners and a giant ‘Lucy’ cake.
The meet-up at The Windmill pub on Clapham Common featured six people, understood to have met via the Facebook group ‘Lucy Letby Discussions’.
Emma told Metro: ‘While concentrating on the CCRC is a way of showing support for Letby, parties nd date nights may be seen by many to be wholly inappropriate, distasteful and weird by many ordinary citizens in relation to this case.’
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