HER MYSTERY “BOYFRIEND” FINALLY NAMED — THE MARRIED DAD LINKED TO LUCY LETBY IS REVEALED FOR THE FIRST TIME

For years, he was known only as “Dr A” — a mysterious figure whose identity was shielded during one of Britain’s most closely watched criminal trials.

Now, the doctor once described by prosecutors as Lucy Letby’s “boyfriend” has finally been publicly identified.

He was Dr Mark Deakin, a married father of two and consultant paediatrician, who worked alongside Letby at the Countess of Chester Hospital before later joining Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.

His identity had been protected by a court order when he gave evidence during Letby’s trial. But following his death at the age of 53, the Court of Appeal ruled that the anonymity order could no longer be maintained.

The decision has brought renewed attention to a complicated relationship that prosecutors once argued was significant to understanding Letby’s actions.

THE DOCTOR WHO MADE LETBY BREAK DOWN IN COURT

Deakin became an important witness during Letby’s trial.

When he entered the witness box, Letby became visibly emotional and attempted to leave the dock. Deakin gave his evidence from behind a screen because of the anonymity order protecting him at the time.

Prosecutors portrayed the relationship between the two as unusually close.

Court evidence showed that they exchanged more than 1,300 Facebook messages, while other messages included affectionate language. Notes discovered at Letby’s home also referred to Deakin as her “best friend” and expressed strong feelings toward him.

Prosecutors suggested that Letby was infatuated with the doctor and described him as her “boyfriend.”

But Letby rejected that characterization.

She maintained that Deakin was a trusted friend rather than a romantic partner.

That distinction remains important because there has never been a court finding that the pair were formally in a romantic relationship.

THE ALDER HEY CONNECTION

Years after working together at the Countess of Chester, Deakin moved to Alder Hey.

An investigation by Alder Hey later focused on his decision to arrange several observational visits for Letby at the hospital in 2016.

At that point, Letby had already been removed from clinical duties at the Countess of Chester following concerns raised by senior colleagues about the unexplained deterioration and deaths of babies.

The investigation also examined messages between Deakin and Letby concerning confidential information about a premature baby known in court as Baby N.

Alder Hey’s investigation concluded that Deakin had a very close relationship with Letby and was likely aware that concerns had been raised about her.

It also found that he had accessed Baby N’s medical records inappropriately, including after Letby’s conviction.

Deakin accepted that he had breached patient confidentiality but disputed knowing, at the time he arranged the visits, that Letby was suspected of harming babies.

The disciplinary panel rejected his account and dismissed him for gross misconduct on June 23, 2026.

FOUND UNCONSCIOUS THE NEXT DAY

Just one day after his dismissal, Deakin was found unconscious inside his car at a retail park around 20 miles from his Cheshire home.

He was taken to hospital and admitted to intensive care.

He died nine days later, with reports placing his death on July 3, 2026.

His death has been referred to the Cheshire Coroner, and an inquest is expected. The circumstances and medical cause of his death have not been publicly established.

That timeline has inevitably attracted intense public attention — but there is currently no evidence establishing a connection between his death and the Letby case.

A NAME THAT WAS HIDDEN FOR YEARS

The Court of Appeal’s decision to identify Deakin followed an application by Associated Newspapers, supported by The Times.

Lord Justice Singh said the justification for protecting his identity no longer applied after his death, while also expressing sympathy to his widow and family.

For years, the public knew him only through courtroom references to “Dr A.”

Now, the man behind that name has been identified — a consultant paediatrician, a married father of two, a former colleague of Lucy Letby and a witness whose relationship with her became an unexpected part of the prosecution’s case.

Letby remains in prison serving 15 whole-life terms after being convicted of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven others.

Her convictions remain in place while the Criminal Cases Review Commission considers material submitted on her behalf.

And with the September 15 publication of the Thirlwall Inquiry’s final report approaching, the newly revealed identity of Dr Mark Deakin is likely to bring even greater attention to the people and decisions surrounding the Letby case.