Finnish nurse charged with murdering five patients

A Finnish nurse was charged on Wednesday with murdering five of her elderly patients with lethal drug overdoses, and of trying to kill six others.

"The deeds are suspected to have happened in hospitals, hospices and private homes between 2004 and 2009," prosecutors said in a statement. The 59-year-old woman, who has been in custody since spring, has denied all charges.

According to Finnish media, the nurse was convicted earlier this year of stealing jewellery from one of her patients, and last year was convicted for starting a fire in a hospital lift.

She faces two additional charges of aggravated assault, plus theft and drugs offences, prosecutors said. The Helsinki District Court is expected to start hearing the case in January. 

In May a Finnish court sentenced another nurse to life in prison for murdering a patient with insulin and attempting to murder a baby.