A 22-year-old childcare worker, Roksana Lecka, has been sentenced to eight years in prison after being found guilty of physically abusing 21 infants across two nurseries in London. Lecka was convicted of multiple counts of cruelty against children aged between 18 months and two years, including kicking, punching, and pinching them.
The incidents came to light in June 2024, when Lecka was sent home from work after staff observed her pinching several children. Parents had raised concerns about unusual injuries observed on their children in March and May of the same year. Following these reports, police reviewed CCTV footage, which revealed Lecka’s abusive behavior, including instances of her covering a toddler’s mouth when he began to cry.
Details of the Abuse and Legal Proceedings
Most of the abuse took place at Riverside Nursery in Twickenham, where Lecka was seen repeatedly inflicting harm on vulnerable children. In some cases, she pinched children under their clothing several times a day. Her actions included not only physical violence but also psychological intimidation, as she would look to ensure other staff members were not observing her as she inflicted pain.
Upon her arrest, Lecka claimed that she regularly smoked cannabis before her shifts, stating in court, “I was unaware of what I was doing and the things I was doing, I can’t remember because I was smoking cannabis that was affecting my memory.” Initially, she denied the allegations but later pleaded guilty to seven counts of cruelty to a person under the age of 16, with additional convictions for 14 other charges.
Judge Sarah Plaschkes KC condemned Lecka’s actions, describing them as “gratuitous violence.” She highlighted the severe impact on the children, stating, “You pinched, slapped, punched, smacked and kicked them. You caused bruising and lingering red marks.” The judge emphasized that Lecka’s actions were premeditated, as she often ensured no one was watching when she committed these acts.
Community Reactions and Implications
Emotional testimonies from parents during the trial revealed the deep anguish and guilt they felt over leaving their children in Lecka’s care. One parent expressed the helplessness of the children, stating, “They were totally helpless and Roksana preyed upon them.” Another parent described Lecka as “the worst kind of human.”
Jemma Till, a lawyer from Irwin Mitchell representing the affected families, commented on the abuse of trust inherent in Lecka’s position. She also raised concerns about how such behavior went unnoticed for an extended period, calling for a review of safeguarding measures in nurseries.
The case has prompted discussions about the need for more stringent oversight in childcare settings to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. As the community grapples with the aftermath of this disturbing situation, the focus remains on ensuring the safety and well-being of children in care.
