Convicted baby killer Lucy Letby looks set to snub her sentencing hearing later today at Manchester Crown Court.

Ms Letby has become the most prolific child serial killer in modern times after she was found guilty of murdering seven babies and attempting to kill six others.

She is due to sentenced for the murders this afternoon and will likely have the sentencing from her prison cell via video call. 

According to current UK laws, a judge can order a prison to bring someone to court, but they must provide a reason for the prisoner's physical presence being necessary to the process.

Sky Political Correspondent Tamara Cohen said, however, the practicalities of bringing a convict to court by force mean it is rarely done. 

“How would you do it?” she said. “Would you force six prison officers to carry someone into the court?” 

“There are so many difficult issues with that. What if they were violently resisting, for example?”

'She needs to listen to the families'

The UK Government has committed to changing the law to make prisoners attend court physically by default.

Many have said Ms Letby should be forced to attend the sentencing as the parents of some of Ms Letby’s victims are due to read an impact statement at court. 

Cheryl Korbel, whose daughter was shot dead in her Liverpool home, said the convicts must face the consequences of their actions face-to-face.

“She knows what she’s done, and she needs to listen to the [families] because it’s raw when it comes from the families,” she said. 

“You can physically see the pain on their faces and hear it in their voices – it goes deeper.” 

Justice Secretary Robert Buckland previously said the court can be “confident” knowing Ms Letby will hear her sentencing no matter what. 

“They have to hear what’s being said,” he said. “As they speak this is being broadcast to the defendant who literally has no place to hide.” 

Reporting by IRN.