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Doctor guilty of fatal injection Doctor guilty of fatal injection
(20 minutes later)
A doctor has been found guilty of killing a patient by giving her a fatal injection of adrenalin against the advice of three colleagues.A doctor has been found guilty of killing a patient by giving her a fatal injection of adrenalin against the advice of three colleagues.
Patricia Leighton, 51, had been taken into Staffordshire District General Hospital suffering from septic shock. She died there in July 1998.Patricia Leighton, 51, had been taken into Staffordshire District General Hospital suffering from septic shock. She died there in July 1998.
Dr Priya Ramnath, 40, had denied manslaughter by gross negligence.Dr Priya Ramnath, 40, had denied manslaughter by gross negligence.
She was given a suspended six-month jail sentence after being convicted at Birmingham Crown Court.She was given a suspended six-month jail sentence after being convicted at Birmingham Crown Court.
The four-week hearing was previously told by Ramnath's colleague Dr Doris Ng that she was "horrified" Ramnath had given the injection. Staffordshire Police revealed after the case that Ramnath, who was due to take annual leave, resigned from her post at the hospital on 28 July - six days after Mrs Leighton's death.
Dr Ng said that she believed the drug should only be given to someone suffering a heart attack. She arrived in Orlando, Florida, a day later.
Mrs Leighton, from Burntwood, Staffordshire, had rheumatoid arthritis and an infected bunion and was admitted to hospital in Cannock on 20 July 1998. An inquest in August 2004 recorded a verdict of unlawful killing for Mrs Leighton, and police then took steps to extradite Ramnath.
The four-week hearing was previously told by Ramnath's colleague Dr Doris Ng that she was "horrified" the injection had been given.
Side-effects
Mrs Leighton, from Burntwood, Staffordshire, was admitted to hospital in Cannock on 20 July 1998 for treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and an infected bunion.
She suffered side-effects to antibiotics and was transferred to the intensive care unit in Stafford with septic shock.She suffered side-effects to antibiotics and was transferred to the intensive care unit in Stafford with septic shock.
'Jerked forward'
It was there that Ramnath gave her adrenaline, she said, in an effort to raise Mrs Leighton's blood pressure.It was there that Ramnath gave her adrenaline, she said, in an effort to raise Mrs Leighton's blood pressure.
The court was told during the trial how Ramnath had returned from the US to face trial back in England. Michael Burrows, prosecuting, had told the court that within moments of receiving the jab, Mrs Leighton had "jerked forward and sat bolt upright in her bed".
Michael Burrows, prosecuting, described in his opening statements, within moments of receiving the jab, Mrs Leighton had "jerked forward and sat bolt upright in her bed". He said she had shouted out, "What's happening to me? I am going to die."
He said she had shouted out, "What's happening to me? I am going to die".
Patricia Leighton died at the hospital in July 1998Patricia Leighton died at the hospital in July 1998
Dr Ng told the court she found the patient very distressed, flailing her arms about and throwing her body forward and backward.
Shortly afterwards, Mrs Leighton lost consciousness and her heart stopped.Shortly afterwards, Mrs Leighton lost consciousness and her heart stopped.
Ramnath and other colleagues tried to resuscitate Mrs Leighton but failed.Ramnath and other colleagues tried to resuscitate Mrs Leighton but failed.
Mother-of-two Ramnath declined to give evidence during her trial.Mother-of-two Ramnath declined to give evidence during her trial.
Mrs Justice Rafferty said the doctor had panicked in the "pressure cooker" of the intensive care unit.Mrs Justice Rafferty said the doctor had panicked in the "pressure cooker" of the intensive care unit.
The judge told Ramnath: "The jury has found that Mrs Leighton would have lived longer, perhaps days, but for your gross negligence."The judge told Ramnath: "The jury has found that Mrs Leighton would have lived longer, perhaps days, but for your gross negligence."
Mrs Justice Rafferty added that Ramnath's biggest mistake was refusing to listen to her colleagues.Mrs Justice Rafferty added that Ramnath's biggest mistake was refusing to listen to her colleagues.
The judge said: "Arrogance has cost you your reputation."
The jury convicted her with a 10-to-two verdict after three days of deliberations.The jury convicted her with a 10-to-two verdict after three days of deliberations.
A statement from Mrs Leighton's family after the case described her as a "very loyal and family-orientated person with a lovely, gentle nature".
'Overcome hurdles'
The statement said: "A lot of lives got wrecked the day she was taken from us."
It continued: "We have overcome many hurdles to get this case to trial.
"It doesn't matter how long ago a crime happened, you just can't let it go, you have to fight for justice.
"We are happy that the jury have returned a guilty verdict and that justice has at last been served, and hope that she will never be able to wreck another family's life."
Det Ch Insp Phil Bladen said it had been a "complicated and highly unusual" case.
He added: "Our thoughts have been very much with Mrs Leighton's family, who have waited more than 10 years to see someone made culpable.
"They have faced agonising times to see justice brought and we hope that they can now find some form of closure."