Childcare Worker Sentenced to Eight Years for Abusing 21 Children
A former childcare worker has been sentenced to eight years in prison for abusing 21 infants in her care. Roksana Lecka, 22, was found guilty of several counts of physical cruelty while employed at two nurseries in Twickenham, London. Her actions included kicking, pinching, and punching children aged between 18 months and two years, causing distress and injuries that had alarmed parents.
Lecka’s abusive behavior came to light in June 2024 when she was sent home after being caught pinching children. Parents had previously reported unusual injuries on their children in March and May of the same year, prompting an investigation. Police reviewed CCTV footage from the nurseries and uncovered numerous incidents of Lecka inflicting harm on the children. In some cases, she would pinch them under their clothing multiple times per day and even covered a toddler’s mouth to silence his cries.
Details of the Abuse and Court Proceedings
Most of the reported incidents occurred at Riverside Nursery in Twickenham. During her arrest, Lecka admitted to smoking cannabis before her shifts and described her relationship with her boyfriend as an addiction. Initially, she denied the allegations but later pleaded guilty to seven counts of cruelty to a person under the age of 16 and was convicted on an additional 14 charges.
In court, Lecka claimed, “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.” Judge Sarah Plaschkes KC described her actions as “gratuitous violence,” detailing how Lecka had inflicted pain on children who were often “quietly and happily minding their own business.” She noted that Lecka would check to ensure other staff members were not watching during these acts of cruelty.
Parental Reactions and Calls for Accountability
Parents of the affected children expressed their anguish in court, describing feelings of guilt for entrusting their children to Lecka’s care. One parent stated, “They were totally helpless and Roksana preyed upon them.” Another parent characterized her as the “worst kind of human” for her actions.
Jemma Till, a lawyer from Irwin Mitchell representing the families, criticized the systemic failures that allowed Lecka’s abuse to go unnoticed for an extended period. She emphasized that Lecka had abused her position of trust, raising serious questions about the oversight in the childcare system.
The case has ignited discussions about safeguarding measures in nurseries and the need for stricter monitoring of childcare workers. As communities reflect on this harrowing instance of abuse, many are calling for reforms to ensure the safety and well-being of children in educational environments.
