Nurse Lucy Letby ”sabotaged” the care of a baby boy to get her crush’s attention, a court has heard.

Letby, 33, is alleged to have murdered the newborn triplet, known as Child O, on her first shift back at the Countess of Chester Hospital following a holiday in Ibiza with friends in June 2016.

Her trial at Manchester Crown Court was shown multiple messages between Letby and a colleague she was allegedly “sweet on”.

They were sent before she is accused of killing two triplet babies.

In total, Letby is charged with killing seven babies and attempting to murder 10 more infants in 2015 and 2016 when she worked on the neonatal unit at the Countess of Chester.

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The latest from the Lucy Letby trial

In June 2016, she was on holiday in Ibiza when the triplets were born and messaged a colleague about returning to the unusual situation of caring for three siblings.

A WhatsApp message that Letby sent before her return to work read: “Yep probably be back in with a bang lol.”

During the 13th day of giving her evidence – which began at the start of May – Letby was then asked about the messages she exchanged with a male colleague once she was back on shift.

While the prosecution has previously referred to the man as Letby’s “boyfriend”, she has already denied she had a crush on her colleague and said earlier in her evidence that she “loved him as a friend”.

At 9.32am on 23 June 2016, Letby texted him “Boo” after he said he was not on the neonatal unit.

“Were you disappointed he wasn’t there, on the unit?” prosecutor Nick Johnson KC asked.

“Yes, I enjoyed working with [colleague],” Letby said.

“Did you want to get his attention?” Mr Johnson asked.

“No.”

“Is that the reason you sabotaged Child O?”

“No,” Ms Letby replied.

“Were you trying to get his attention?” Mr Johnson asked again.

“Yes, I wanted him to review [Child O],” Letby replied.

“But his personal attention?”

“No,” said Letby.

The nurse was asked how she found time to send so many messages while she was working.

She said staff would often use their phones but not while they were at the cot side.

Letby, from Hereford, denies all of the charges she faces, and her trial continues.