Beverley Allitt

Beverley Allitt is a name that strikes fear into the hearts of mothers everywhere, and for good reason. This former nurse gained infamy in the early 1990s for her unique approach to patient care, which involved injecting babies and children with lethal doses of insulin, potassium, and other fun substances.

Allitt’s antics first came to light in February 1991, when a sudden surge in unexpected child deaths occurred at the Grantham and Kesteven Hospital in Lincolnshire, England, where she worked. Suspicion quickly fell on Allitt, who had a knack for being present whenever a child suddenly took a turn for the worse.

A police investigation followed, and it wasn’t long before they struck gold - Allitt had left a trail of evidence that could have been mistaken for an all-you-can-eat buffet for investigative journalists. She had kept meticulous records of her crimes, including the names of her victims, the drugs she used to kill them, and even the date and time of each injection. Talk about attention to detail!

When Allitt finally went to trial in June 1993, her defense team argued that she suffered from a rare psychological disorder known as Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy, which causes caregivers to harm those in their care in order to gain sympathy and attention. However, the prosecution pointed out that Allitt had apparently experienced no remorse for her actions, and even seemed to derive pleasure from the suffering of her patients.

In the end, Allitt was found guilty of four counts of murder, and 11 counts of attempted murder and grievous bodily harm. She was sentenced to life in prison, and promptly disappeared from the public eye, presumably to spend the rest of her life trading knitting tips with other inmates.

So if you ever find yourself in a hospital and suspect that your nurse might have a similar sense of humor to Allitt, just remember - laughter is not always the best medicine.