Glasgow Nurse Facing Four Counts Of Murder

A nurse appeared in court yesterday charged with murdering four elderly patients and the attempted murder of a fifth.

Colin Norris, 31, of Egilsay Terrace, Glasgow, is accused of killing the four pensioners by administering an overdose of insulin while working at two hospitals in Leeds in 2002.

He also faces charges of attempted murder against the same four pensioners. Mr Norris denies all nine charges.

A jury was sworn in yesterday for the trial at Newcastle Crown Court, which is expected to take up to four months.

Mr Norris, formerly of Kirkstall, Leeds, is accused of murdering Doris Ludlam, 80, of Pudsey, Leeds, on June 27, 2002; Bridget Bourke, 88, of Holbeck, Leeds, who died on July 22 2002; and Ethel Hall, 86, of Calverley, Leeds, who died on December 11, 2002.

All were patients at Leeds General Infirmary.

He is accused of murdering Irene Crookes, 79, of Hunslet, Leeds, on October 20, 2002, at St James’s Hospital in Leeds.

He is also accused of attempting to murder Vera Wilby, 90, of Rawdon, Leeds, at Leeds General Infirmary on May 17, 2002.

An investigation was launched in November 2002 and Mr Norris was arrested, but released on bail pending further investigations. He was charged on October 12, 2005.

He was later granted bail, with strict conditions that he reside at Egilsay Terrace.

Yesterday, trial judge Mr Justice Griffiths Williams warned the panel of seven men and five women to try Mr Norris only on the evidence they hear in court and do not discuss the case with anyone else.

“The advice I give to every jury is the same. Tell other people politely and firmly to mind their own business,” the judge said.

“They are not here, they didn’t hear the evidence.

“Their views, however well intentioned, are wholly irrelevant.”

The trial was adjourned until today.