BREAKING ‘Doctor Death’ who killed 12 sufferers with poison to ‘feed his thirst for energy’ jailed for all times

A French anaesthetist, chillingly referred to as ‘Doctor Death’, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for using poison to murder 12 patients in a bid to satisfy his “thirst for power”.

Frédéric Péchier, 53, was labelled “a poisoner and a murderer” by prosecutors at a criminal court in Doubs, on the France-Switzerland border, after evidence proved he had attacked at least 30 individuals under his care.

The prosecution described him as “one of the biggest criminals in history” due to his use of medicine as a lethal weapon at two private clinics in the city of Besançon.

Comparisons were frequently drawn with notorious British serial killer Harold Shipman – a doctor infamous for routinely murdering vulnerable patients with medication.

The verdict against Péchier was delivered gradually on Thursday morning, as judges at the Doubs Assizes had to individually rule on 30 cases of poisoning, each of which was confirmed.

He was found guilty of multiple murders and subsequently sentenced to life behind bars.

This is a breaking news story and is being constantly updated. Please refresh the page regularly with the latest news, pictures and videos.

You can also get email updates on the day’s biggest stories straight to your inbox by signing up for our newsletters.

Get all the very best headlines, pictures, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you by following Daily Star every time you see our name.

Follow Daily Star on Android – CLICK HERE

Follow Daily Star on Apple – CLICK HERE

Follow Daily Star on Snapchat – CLICK HERE

You can also sign up for Twitter alerts for breaking news by following @starbreaksnews and follow us @dailystar for all the latest updates.

Keep up-to-date with your must-see news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day by following us on Facebook at facebook.com/thedailystar.