A 27-year-old nurse charged in connection with the deaths of five hospital patients at the centre of a tampering probe was remanded in custody today.
Rebecca Leighton appeared at Manchester Magistrates Court where she was accused of three counts of criminal damage with intent to endanger life and three counts of criminal damage being reckless as to whether life was being endangered.
She also faced a charge of stealing medicine from Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport, Greater Manchester.
Ms Leighton was arrested at her flat on Wednesday by detectives probing the contamination of saline solution at Stepping Hill, where she worked.
During the 20-minute hearing, the defendant spoke only to confirm her full name, date of birth and address.
Wearing a white hooded top, grey tracksuit bottoms and pink trainers, Leighton wiped away tears as she first came into the dock before regaining her composure as she glanced across at a group of around 15 family and friends.
PA