A NURSE is facing life in jail after he was found guilty of a murderous poisoning spree at his hospital.

Filipino Chua, 49, injected insulin into saline bags and ampoules while working on two wards at Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport, Cheshire, in June and July 2011.

In crimes which have similarities to those of Scots-born serial killer nurse Colin Norris, the patients were then unwittingly used by other nurses on the ward, leading to a series of insulin overdoses to mainly elderly victims.

The father of two daughters was convicted of murdering two patients.

He was cleared of a third murder but found guilty of attempting to cause that patient grievous bodily harm.

Chua will be sentenced today (tue) in the presence of some of his victims' loved ones and faces a mandatory two life sentences for the murders.

The Crown said Chua decided to take out his personal frustrations on patients "for reasons truly known only to himself".

After police were called in, Chua "changed tack" by sabotaging prescription charts, doubling and trebling dosages - some with potentially lethal consequences - leading to his arrest in January 2012.

In the self-penned letter, described as "the bitter nurse confession" by Chua, he said he was "an angel turned into an evil person" and "there's a devil in me". He also wrote of having things he would "take to the grave".

He was found guilty of murdering Tracy Arden, 44, and Alfred Weaver, 83. He was cleared of murdering Arnold Lancaster, 81, who was suffering from terminal cancer, but convicted of attempting to cause him grievous bodily harm.

Ms Arden, who had multiple sclerosis, was admitted for a "mild" chest infection and would have expected to "sail through this storm". But she was pronounced dead eight hours after admission after being treated with a saline ampoule contaminated with insulin.

Mr Weaver was admitted with a chest infection and, after being given a saline drip was in agony. He died 10 days later.

Prosecutor Peter Wright QC said Chua had for reasons only "truly known only to himself, decided to take out his frustrations on his and others' patients."

Colleague Rebecca Leighton was arrested and charged and locked up for more than a month before she was released without charge. Police apologised to her yesterday.

But Chua was the only nurse who was on duty at all the relevant times outlined in the prosecution case against him.

Mr Norris, 39, originally from Glasgow, was jailed for life in March 2008 after being found guilty of murdering four eldely patients at two Leeds hospitals. He must serve a minimum of 30 years.