In a case that has sent shockwaves through southwest London and beyond, Roksana Lecka, a 22-year-old nursery worker from Hounslow, was sentenced to eight years in prison on September 26, 2025, for perpetrating a brutal and relentless campaign of abuse against 21 children in her care. The harrowing details of Lecka’s crimes, uncovered through painstaking police investigation and heart-wrenching testimony from affected families, have left a community reeling, with many parents now questioning the very foundations of trust in early childhood care.
Lecka’s abuse came to light in June 2024, when she was caught pinching several children at Twickenham Green Montessori, part of the Riverside Nursery group in Twickenham. According to BBC News, the discovery prompted a full review of CCTV footage, which revealed a disturbing pattern of violence and cruelty inflicted over several months. The abuse, which occurred between October 2023 and June 2024, spanned two nurseries: Little Munchkins in Hounslow and Riverside Nursery in Twickenham, the latter of which has since closed its doors.
The footage, as described in Sky News, showed Lecka pinching, slapping, punching, smacking, and kicking toddlers—often under their clothes and out of sight of other staff. In one particularly shocking incident, she kicked a little boy four times in the face. Lecka was also seen toppling children headfirst into their cots, aggressively covering a boy’s mouth as he cried, pulling their ears, hair, and toes, and shoving children onto mattresses. The violence was not only physical but calculated; Judge Sarah Plaschkes KC noted during sentencing that Lecka would “look at the other members of staff to make sure that they were not watching you,” underscoring the deliberate and premeditated nature of her actions.
Parents and guardians of the affected children were left devastated, many only learning the full extent of the abuse when shown the CCTV evidence in court. One mother, as reported by The Standard, described the ordeal as “the worst two days of my life,” recalling the horror of watching her child and others be singled out and assaulted repeatedly. Another parent looked directly at Lecka during her victim impact statement, saying, “These children were so innocent and vulnerable. They couldn’t speak, they couldn’t defend themselves and they couldn’t tell us as parents that something had happened to them. They were totally helpless and Roksana preyed upon them.”
The physical and emotional scars left by Lecka’s actions have been profound. Many children suffered bruises, scratches, and lingering red marks, while some developed sleeping issues and separation anxiety—symptoms that, as parents testified, have persisted long after the abuse was uncovered. Several families reported feeling guilt and mistrust for having placed their children in Lecka’s care, with some even moving out of the area or experiencing breakdowns in their relationships due to the trauma. “As parents, we live with guilt. We know it’s not our fault, but we still feel it, because we were not there to protect him,” said the family of one little boy, echoing a sentiment shared by many.
Lecka’s conduct during the investigation and trial only deepened the pain for families. According to Sky News, she appeared “visibly bored” during police interviews and gave no comment answers, showing no remorse for her actions. Detective Inspector Sian Hutchings, the senior investigating officer, told the PA news agency, “The former nursery worker has never given any explanation for her behaviour and what she’s done.” Gemma Burns of the Crown Prosecution Service added, “Lecka repeatedly showed exceptional cruelty in her appalling treatment of these babies. No parent should have to fear leaving their child in the care of professionals, but the sheer scale of her abuse is staggering.”
In court, Lecka admitted to seven counts of cruelty to a person under the age of 16 and was convicted by a jury of 14 additional counts at Kingston Crown Court. She was found not guilty of three further counts. Her defense, as presented by her lawyer Arlette Piercy, cited her youth, previous good character, and addiction to cannabis and vaping as mitigating factors. Lecka herself wrote a letter to the court expressing remorse and blaming her substance use for her actions, stating that cannabis “turned her into a different person.” However, Judge Plaschkes KC dismissed these excuses, describing Lecka’s apology as hollow and her actions as “deliberate and calculated.”
Judge Plaschkes did not mince words during sentencing, declaring, “At that age, children are vulnerable because they cannot understand, let alone tell anyone of their suffering. Their parents and your employers trusted you to look after each precious and much-loved child. You violated that trust. You committed multiple acts of gratuitous violence. Your criminal conduct can be properly characterised as sadistic.” The judge further stated that Lecka should never be allowed to work with children or vulnerable people again, a sentiment echoed by many of the victims’ families.
The revelations have sparked broader questions about oversight and safeguarding in the early childhood sector. Jemma Till, a lawyer representing several families, told BBC News, “Serious questions remain as to how Lecka’s abuse was allowed to go unchecked for several months. Our focus is now on securing families, who will continue to be affected by Lecka’s actions for years to come, with the further answers they deserve.”
The closure of Riverside Nursery in the wake of the scandal has left many parents scrambling for alternative childcare, compounding the financial and emotional toll. Some have been forced to take time off work, while others remain haunted by the fear of leaving their children in the care of others. As one family put it, “This crime has changed the way we view the world and how we parent. We will carry the weight of what was done to him for the rest of his life.”
Lecka’s time in custody has reportedly been fraught as well; she was attacked twice in prison and has since been placed in a vulnerable prisoner wing. Yet, for the families of her victims, the sentence brings only partial closure. The scars—both physical and emotional—will likely endure for years, if not a lifetime. The case stands as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of children and the paramount importance of vigilance, transparency, and accountability in those entrusted with their care.
