London (Parliament Politics magazine) – Roksana Lecka, a 22-year-old nursery worker from Hounslow, west London, has been sentenced to eight years in prison after being found guilty of abusing 21 babies at two nurseries. The court heard harrowing details of her cruel, deliberate mistreatment, including pinching, scratching, kicking, and other violent acts captured on CCTV.
Multiple Counts of Child Cruelty Lead to Eight-Year Sentence
As reported by BBC News and ITV News on 26 September 2025, Roksana Lecka was found guilty at Kingston Crown Court of 21 counts of child cruelty after a jury trial. She had admitted seven counts earlier but was convicted of an additional 14, while being acquitted on three charges.
Judge Sarah Plaschkes KC described Lecka’s offences as “gratuitous” and “sadistic,” noting that she inflicted “multiple acts of needless violence” against infants under her care, some as young as 10 months old.
Details of Abuse Captured on CCTV and Witness Accounts
Metropolitan Police detectives reviewed over 300 hours of nursery CCTV footage which recorded Lecka’s repeated pinching, scratching under clothes, slapping, punching, and kicking of infants at Riverside Nursery in Twickenham and another site between October 2023 and June 2024.
In one incident, she was seen kicking a toddler in the face multiple times and flipping children headfirst into cribs. She also aggressively pressed a child’s mouth when he started crying and was recorded vaping near babies in the nursery.
Parents testified to discovering injuries and bruising after trusting the nursery staff with their children. During the trial, some parents expressed heartbreak and guilt, with gasps audible in court as disturbing footage was played.
Police Investigation and Arrest Details
Following initial reports by staff and parents about pinching and unusual injuries, the Metropolitan Police launched a rapid investigation in June 2024. Officers arrested Lecka at her home in Hounslow on suspicion of child cruelty and actual bodily harm.
She initially gave no comment during interviews and failed to acknowledge wrongdoing despite being shown CCTV evidence. After further enquiries and additional evidence, multiple charges were brought against her by July 2024.
Judge’s Remarks on Breach of Trust and Harm
Judge Plaschkes spoke directly to Lecka, emphasising the betrayal of trust inherent in her actions against vulnerable children entrusted to her care. She stated,
“At such a young age, children are defenseless, unable to comprehend or communicate their suffering. You shattered that trust.
The judge further condemned the calculated nature of Lecka’s attacks, highlighting how she often checked to avoid detection by colleagues while indulging in deliberate cruelty.
Impact on Victims and Families
Victim impact statements submitted during the trial revealed profound emotional distress, mistrust in institutions, and parental anguish. Families spoke of the terrifying experience of seeing footage of their young children suffering and the lasting trauma such abuse inflicts.
Authorities praised parents for their courage in coming forward and cooperating with investigations, as well as nursery staff who reported concerns once aware of Lecka’s conduct.
Safeguards and Lessons for Childcare Sector
The case has prompted calls for heightened vigilance and improved monitoring within childcare settings. Experts emphasise the importance of rigorous safeguarding policies, staff training, and transparent reporting mechanisms to protect children.
Metropolitan Police’s Detective Inspector Sian Hutchings stressed the need for ongoing diligence following this investigation to prevent similar abuses going undetected.
The conviction and imprisonment of Roksana Lecka mark a solemn moment underscoring the vulnerability of children in care and the imperative of safeguarding them rigorously. The eight-year sentence reflects the seriousness of her sustained and brutal misconduct.
Acknowledging the pain inflicted on families and children, the judiciary, police, and community vow continued efforts to strengthen protection systems and ensure justice for such victims.