A 22-year-old nursery worker has been convicted of abusing 21 young children while employed at two separate nurseries in west and southwest London. The abuse, which took place over several months, involved infants as young as ten months old and was captured in hours of disturbing CCTV footage.
Roksana Lecka, of Hounslow, was found guilty of 21 counts of child cruelty following a six-week trial at Kingston Crown Court. The offences occurred between October 2023 and June 2024, primarily at Riverside Nursery in Twickenham, which has since shut down. One charge was linked to a previous nursery in Hounslow.
Lecka had initially pleaded guilty to seven counts at the start of her trial. She was later convicted of 14 further counts by a jury and acquitted of three. Her sentencing is scheduled for 26 September 2025.
The abuse came to light in June 2024, after a staff member at Riverside Nursery reported concerns about Lecka’s behaviour. Management reviewed CCTV footage and alerted police.
Over 300 hours of video reviewed by the Metropolitan Police showed Lecka committing systematic physical assaults on the children. She was seen pinching, scratching, and kicking babies, sometimes dozens of times a day. Footage also showed her pushing toddlers headfirst over cots, shoving one child onto a mattress, and covering a crying child’s mouth with force.
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Detectives described her actions as “prolific” and “disturbing.” In one video, Lecka was seen vaping less than a metre from a baby, and in another, kicking a small boy in the face and stepping on his shoulder.
The abuse often occurred when colleagues were out of the room or had their backs turned. Prosecutors argued this showed premeditation.
Lecka had previously worked at another nursery and provided babysitting services. No concerns were raised during her job application to Riverside, and she supplied positive references from former employers and families.
However, during court proceedings, it was revealed she had abused at least one child at a Hounslow nursery in 2023.
When interviewed by police, Lecka refused to answer questions, offered no remorse, and submitted a written statement denying any wrongdoing. She claimed she followed procedures and had no knowledge of how injuries occurred.
In court, she admitted to regular cannabis use with her boyfriend and said she was addicted to vaping.
The Riverside Nursery charged families up to £1,900 per month and followed the Montessori method, which emphasizes child-led learning. The facility is now permanently closed.
During the trial, parents gasped in court as they saw the footage of their children being abused — many for the first time. Some families had previously raised concerns in March and May 2024 after noticing unexplained bruises and red marks on their children.
Lawyers representing families said the emotional toll is severe and long-lasting. “The families we represent are not only deeply shocked but also traumatised by what their children have endured,” said Jemma Till of Irwin Mitchell.
The case has led to renewed calls for reforms in the nursery and early-years education sector. Munira Wilson, MP for Twickenham, demanded no-notice Ofsted inspections, mandatory CCTV reviews, and stronger safeguarding protocols.
“This is sadly yet another devastating case where children have suffered at the hands of someone in a position of trust,” said Till.
A spokesperson for Riverside Nurseries said:
“Situations like this are deeply upsetting and represent a profound breach of trust in a professional. Creating places in which children are happy, safe and able to thrive is our top priority.”
Roksana Lecka remains in custody and is scheduled to be sentenced on 26 September 2025 at Kingston Crown Court. She faces a lengthy prison term for what prosecutors have described as “exceptional cruelty”.
Detective Sergeant Geoff Boye, who led the investigation, praised the families’ resilience and the meticulous work of investigators, especially Detective Constable Eloise Hand.
“The footage of her offences against defenceless children was disturbing,” he said.
“These families left their children in Lecka’s care, trusting her to protect them.”
This article is based entirely on information reported by the multiple reputable news sources as cited. No opinions, interpretations, or unverified claims have been added. Our writers carefully researched these sources to deliver an accurate and factual report.
