'Sadistic' nursery worker jailed for violent abuse of young children

FAMILIES TELL COURT: 'ONLY THE WORST KIND OF HUMAN WOULD ASSAULT VULNERABLE BABIES'

- By CHRIS BALLINGER and ELLIE NG

Lecka during her arrest in July last year

(METROPOLITAN POLICE)

A “SADISTIC” nursery worker has been branded “the worst kind of human” as she was jailed for eight years after being found guilty of 21 counts of cruelty to children.

Roksana Lecka, 22, of Avro Place in Hounslow, admitted seven counts of cruelty and was convicted after a trial of another 14 counts over her actions at two nurseries.

Lecka's crimes, which included kicking a little boy in the face several times, were discovered in June last year after she was sent home for pinching a number of children at Riverside Nursery in Twickenham.

The court heard that, since being held in custody after her arrest, Lecka has been attacked in prison.

Parents of her victims told the court of their feelings of heartbreak, guilt, and distrust in statements read out at Kingston Crown Court on Friday (September 26), with some of them taking to the witness box to deliver their words in front of a full courtroom.

The hearing was attended by Lecka's loved ones, as well as four members of the jury who had returned to watch the sentencing.

Judge Sarah Plaschkes KC said Lecka should not be allowed to work with children again, telling her: "You committed multiple acts of gratuitous violence.

"You pinched, slapped, punched, smacked and kicked them. You pulled their ears, hair and their toes. You toppled children headfirst into cots. You caused bruising and lingering red marks.

"When you committed these acts of cruelty you would look at the other members of staff to make sure that they were not watching you.