Twickenham, June 16, 2025
Nursery Worker Convicted of Abusing Toddlers
A 22-year-old nursery worker has been found guilty of abusing 21 toddlers at a Montessori nursery in Twickenham, south-west London.
- Roksana Lecka, 22, was convicted of harming 21 infants.
- The abuse occurred at the Riverside Nursery in Twickenham.
- Lecka admitted to seven counts of child cruelty, but denied others.
What led to Roksana Lecka’s conviction? Roksana Lecka, a nursery worker, was found guilty of badly harming 21 toddlers at the Riverside Nursery in Twickenham last year. Lecka admitted to seven counts of child cruelty, including physical attacks, but denied 17 other charges.
Parents, their faces etched with a mixture of horror and relief, witnessed the verdicts. The court heard harrowing accounts of the abuse, with CCTV footage showing Lecka’s violent actions. One child was repeatedly kicked in the face, and a baby was punched after being pulled from a cot.
Concerned parents first noticed and reported unexplained injuries on their children as early as March last year. The emotional toll was evident as parents wept while the verdicts were read out.
Staff noticed the children had scratches and bruises, leading to Lecka’s suspension on June 28, 2024. After reviewing hours of CCTV and evidence, Lecka was charged with 24 counts of child cruelty.
She admitted to seven of the charges but denied the remaining 17. After nine hours and 53 minutes of deliberation, the jury convicted her of 14 of the remaining counts, acquitting her of three.
Judge Sarah Plaschkes KC exempted the jury from future service for the next 10 years. The courtroom was filled with gasps and tears as the horrific footage of Lecka’s attacks was shown.
The court saw footage of Lecka kicking a boy in the face four times and stepping on his shoulder. The trainers she was wearing were later seized by police.
More disturbing footage revealed Lecka pinching a young girl’s legs, back, and underarm. Other clips showed her pinching a girl’s face and grabbing her hair. She was also seen vaping before grabbing a baby from a crib and pinching and punching the baby.
Lecka tried to justify her actions with a chilling lack of concern. She told the jury, “I can’t remember the things I was doing because I was smoking cannabis that was affecting my memory.”
Giving evidence, Lecka claimed a pinch to a boy’s stomach was a hug, a hair yank was a “ruffle,” and jabs to another toddler’s stomach were just “playful pokes.”
Excuses and Justifications
Lecka changed several pleas to guilty before the trial, after the presentation of CCTV footage that documented her crimes. Her attempts to justify her actions included claims of sleep deprivation, the effects of cannabis, and period cramps.
“At that time I was really addicted to vapes, I would smoke two little crystal disposables a day,” she told the court. “I was vaping in nursery. Because if I did not smoke I would get agitated and fed up. I couldn’t keep asking to go to the toilet. Any opportunity I would take. I would be really moody and fed up.
‘It would be a couple of puffs and then I’d put it away… I would put it in my bra.’
In the week of her suspension, Lecka claimed she had been ‘over-prioritising’ her boyfriend. “I was with my boyfriend every night. I was addicted to him,” she said.
In her prepared statement, Lecka denied assaulting any children at the Riverside Nursery.
When asked in court if it was a lie, she said: ‘I was not lying because I was unaware of what I was doing and the things I was doing, I can’t remember the things I was doing because I was smoking cannabis that was affecting my memory.’
Prosecutor Tracy Ayling told jurors that smoking cannabis and not being able to vape were ‘excuses’.
Lecka will be sentenced on September 26.
Impact on Riverside Nursery and Wider Implications
The conviction of Roksana Lecka has cast a long shadow over the Riverside Nursery in Twickenham.The nursery, described as a “£1,900-a-month Montessori nursery”, now faces scrutiny regarding its safeguarding procedures and staff training protocols.
Investigations will likely focus on how Lecka’s behavior went undetected for so long, especially considering the unexplained injuries reported by parents. Parents’ trust has been deeply shaken,and the nursery’s reputation has suffered important damage.
What are the potential consequences for the Riverside Nursery? The nursery could face closure or have its registration revoked, depending on the findings of the investigations. The owners may also face legal repercussions if negligence is found. Furthermore, the nursery could experience a significant loss of enrollment, as many parents may choose to remove their children.
Aside from repercussions to the nursery, the verdict calls for greater scrutiny of nursery staff. The case highlights the importance of thorough background checks, ongoing training, and rigorous monitoring of staff behavior. It will push for a review of existing guidelines for nurseries.
The incident is a stark reminder of the vulnerability of young children and the importance of vigilance in protecting them. There will likely be calls for mandatory CCTV in all nurseries.
Preventing Child Abuse in Nurseries: A Guide for parents
Parents play a crucial role in safeguarding their children. Here are some steps you can take to protect your child:
- Regular Visits. Make unannounced visits to the nursery to observe the staff and surroundings.
- open Dialog. Talk to your child daily about their experiences at the nursery and any concerns they may have.
- Check for Injuries. Always check your child for any unexplained injuries and report them to the nursery and authorities immediately.
- Investigate concerns. If you have concerns about staff behavior, trust your instincts and report them to the appropriate authorities.
- Review Policies. Familiarize yourself with the nursery’s safeguarding policies, including their procedures for reporting and addressing concerns about child safety.
How can parents identify signs of potential abuse? Parents should remain vigilant for sudden behavioral changes, unexplained injuries, or a child’s reluctance to attend nursery. A child’s hesitation or fear should always be taken seriously.
Expert Insights
Dr. Emily Carter, a child psychology consultant, stresses the importance of early intervention. “Early detection and reporting are crucial,” she says. “Parents must be the frontline defense for their children.” Child psychologists can offer support to impacted children and parents, helping them navigate the emotional trauma caused by such incidents.
Moreover,the case sparks a wider conversation about mental health support for nursery staff. Experts highlight that those who deal with young children require robust mental health support to cope with the emotional demands of their work.
What’s Next? The Sentencing and Beyond
Roksana Lecka is set to be sentenced on September 26. The sentencing is expected to consider the severity of the offenses, the impact on the victims, and any mitigating factors. The judge will also consider the need to protect society and deter others from committing similar crimes.
Beyond the sentencing, the case’s legacy will be a renewed focus on child protection policies, with calls for increased monitoring and support for parents. it serves as a difficult reminder that trust and vigilance are cornerstones of safeguarding children.
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