Killer nurse to appeal conviction

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A former nurse jailed for murdering elderly patients at two Leeds hospitals has been given the go-ahead to challenge his conviction.

Colin Norris, 33, from Egilsay Terrace, Glasgow, was found guilty in March last year of killing four women in 2002.

He was told he must serve at least 30 years of his life sentence in jail.

Court of Appeal judges granted Norris leave to appeal but emphasised it did not mean they had formed any view "on the merits of the appeal".

Lord Justice Aikens, sitting with two other judges in London, said the court had "considered very carefully" the papers in the case and announced that "we can say at this stage that we grant leave".

Four life terms

He added: "However... I will emphasise that does not mean that we have formed any view on the merits of the case, but we do think it is a suitable case where leave should be granted."

Norris was present in the dock for the proceedings.

His QC William Clegg said grounds for the appeal would focus on directions given by the trial judge.

Norris was convicted at Newcastle Crown Court of killing the women at Leeds General Infirmary and St James's Hospital in 2002.

He was also convicted of trying to murder another patient.

A judge gave him four life sentences, with a minimum term of 30 years for each of the murders, and a 20-year sentence to run concurrently for attempted murder.