A nursery worker from west London has been sentenced to eight years in prison for a string of child cruelty offences involving 21 babies. Roksana Lecka, 22, from Hounslow, admitted to seven counts of cruelty to a child under 16 and was convicted of a further 14 offences after a trial. She was cleared of three additional charges. The abuse, described in court as “gratuitous” and “sadistic,” took place at two nurseries between October 2023 and June 2024. Most incidents occurred at Riverside Nursery in Twickenham, which has since closed, while one count related to Little Munchkins in Hounslow.

Disturbing Pattern of Abuse

Lecka’s crimes were first uncovered in June last year, when she was sent home after colleagues witnessed her pinching several children. Further investigations revealed shocking acts of violence: she slapped, punched, kicked, and smacked babies, pulled their ears and hair, and even pushed them headfirst into cots. On one occasion, she repeatedly kicked a young boy in the face. Judge Sarah Plaschkes KC told Kingston Crown Court that Lecka’s actions were deliberate and sustained:

“You inflicted pain on children who were often quietly minding their own business. You looked around to make sure you weren’t being watched before carrying out these cruel acts.”

The Crown Prosecution Service revealed that Lecka sometimes pinched multiple children dozens of times in a single day, leaving visible bruises and marks.

Parents’ Heartbreak in Court

Victim impact statements read aloud in court painted a devastating picture of the damage caused. Parents described feeling guilt, heartbreak, and deep mistrust after placing their children in Lecka’s care.

One mother told Lecka directly:

“These children were innocent and defenceless. They couldn’t speak or protect themselves. You preyed on them when they were most vulnerable.”

Another parent, referencing CCTV evidence, said the footage highlighted “how sickening and cowardly” Lecka’s behaviour was. Families also described the long-term impact: one household moved out of London entirely, while others reported relationship breakdowns under the strain of what their children endured.

Defence and Mitigation

Lecka’s lawyer, Arlette Piercy, told the court her client had shown remorse, citing her age and previously clean record. Lecka wrote a letter of apology to parents and claimed her cannabis use at the time had altered her behaviour. The court also heard that Lecka had been attacked while in custody and was being held in a vulnerable prisoner unit.

Police and Lawyers Respond

Detective Inspector Sian Hutchings, who led the investigation, called the case “a complex and emotional” ordeal. “The victims were babies – the youngest just 10 months old. Officers were appalled by Lecka’s lack of accountability and her refusal to explain her actions.” Jemma Till, a lawyer representing affected families, said while the sentence brought some relief, major concerns remain: “Lecka’s abuse went undetected for months. Families deserve answers about how this was allowed to continue for so long.” She added that many parents remain traumatised and that the impact of the abuse will be felt for years to come. One mother summed up the parents’ anguish: “We weren’t there to protect them. She hid in plain sight, and only the worst kind of person would harm vulnerable babies.”