Nurse remanded over three deaths at English hospital

Police are investigating contamination of medical products at Stepping Hill Hospital

A nurse has appeared in court in England accused of the murder of three people.

Victorino Chua (48) spoke only to confirm his name, age and address for the three minute hearing at Manchester Magistrates’ Court.

He was charged following a lengthy investigation by police at Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport.

Mr Chua also faces 22 counts of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent, seven charges of attempting to administer poison and one count of causing poison to be administered with intent.

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He was remanded into custody to appear at Manchester Crown Court next Tuesday.

Police are carrying out an investigation into the contamination of various medical products between June 1st and July 15th, 2011 at the hospital.

Eight patients who were poisoned by contaminated products later died.

They were Tracey Arden (44), Arnold Lancaster (71), Derek Weaver (83), William Dickson (82), Linda McDonagh (60), John Beeley (73), Beryl Hope (70), and Mary Cartwright (89).

Mr Chua is charged with murder over the deaths of Ms Arden, Mr Lancaster and Mr Weaver.

Mr Chua, a father-of-two from Stockport, was first arrested in January 2012 and later released on bail.

Ann Barnes, chief executive of Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Stepping Hill Hospital, said: “We are very much aware that at the centre of this complex and lengthy police investigation are the patients and their families affected by these events.

“Our thoughts have been with them throughout this time.”