Roksana Lecka – Nursery Worker Jailed for Abusing 21 Babies

A former nursery worker in west London has been convicted of abusing 21 babies over a period of nine months, in a case that has shocked parents and raised urgent questions about safeguarding in early years settings. Roksana Lecka, a 22-year-old Polish national, was captured on CCTV punching, kicking, and pinching children at Riverside Nursery in Twickenham. She was sentenced to eight years in prison in September 2025 and later deported to Poland in February 2026, a move that left many families feeling the justice system had failed them.

Lecka’s crimes came to light after parents reported unusual injuries and bruising on their children in March and May 2024. A police investigation uncovered hours of CCTV footage showing systematic mistreatment that had gone unnoticed by colleagues. The Crown Prosecution Service described the scale of abuse as “staggering” and noted that Lecka had exploited a position of trust to harm some of the most vulnerable children in society.

The case has prompted widespread calls for reform, with lawyers representing affected families demanding answers and compensation. Lecka’s deportation to Poland, confirmed by the Home Office after her sentence, added a further layer of complexity, as parents expressed frustration that they could no longer seek face-to-face accountability through UK civil courts.

What Did Roksana Lecka Do? Details of the Nursery Abuse

• At 22, Lecka was convicted of cruelty against 21 babies – one of the largest such cases in UK nursery history.
• Lecka was sentenced to eight years in prison and later deported to Poland after serving part of her sentence.
• The abuse included punching, slapping, kicking, scratching, pinching, and aggressively covering a child’s mouth, all captured on nursery CCTV.
• Lecka targeted children when colleagues were out of the room or had their backs turned, according to evidence presented in court.
• Parents first noticed unusual injuries and bruising in March and May 2024, prompting the police investigation.
• The Crown Prosecution Service said the case involved a “position of trust” and called the scale of abuse “staggering.”
• Irwin Mitchell, the law firm representing affected families, said parents were “deeply shocked but also traumatised.”

When Was Roksana Lecka Sentenced and What Was the Punishment?

Lecka was convicted on June 16, 2025, at a London court following a trial. The CPS London South secured the conviction on multiple counts of child cruelty, with the court hearing evidence of systematic abuse over many months. Lecka was ultimately convicted on 14 counts after a trial, having already pleaded guilty to seven further offences.

The charges related to 23 children at Riverside Nursery and one at another nursery, according to Irwin Mitchell, the law firm representing affected families. The judge described Lecka’s actions as “horrendous” and noted the “exceptional cruelty” involved. Parents watching the CCTV footage in court for the first time were heard gasping, according to Sky News.

What Sentence Did the Court Impose?

On September 26, 2025, Lecka was sentenced to eight years in prison. The judge emphasised the long-lasting harm caused to the children and the profound breach of trust. Lecka was also placed on the sex offenders register, though reporting on the specifics of notification requirements remains limited.

How Many Counts of Child Cruelty Was Lecka Charged With?

Lecka faced multiple counts of child cruelty covering 21 victims. She was convicted on 14 counts after trial and pleaded guilty to seven further offences, bringing the total number of charges to 21. The exact breakdown per victim has not been itemised in public court documents.

Why Is Roksana Lecka Being Deported? The Legal Process Explained

Lecka, a Polish national, was deported to Poland on February 5, 2026, after serving a portion of her eight-year sentence in a UK prison. The deportation order was issued under the UK Borders Act, which mandates the removal of foreign national offenders who receive a prison sentence of 12 months or more.

When Was the Deportation Order Issued?

The Home Office confirmed the deportation after Lecka’s sentencing in September 2025. She was transferred to Polish authorities in early February 2026. The exact date of the deportation order has not been publicly disclosed, but the removal occurred approximately four months after sentencing.

Why Are Some Parents Frustrated About the Deportation?

Several parents expressed frustration that deportation prevented them from pursuing civil litigation and face-to-face accountability in UK courts. One father of a toddler abused by Lecka told The Guardian: “It feels like the system has let us down again – he’s gone and we can’t even face him in court.” Some argued Lecka should serve her full sentence in the UK before any removal.

How Did Parents and Lawyers React to the Roksana Lecka Case?

The emotional toll on families has been significant. Parents who watched the CCTV footage in court for the first time reacted audibly, with gasps heard in the gallery, according to Sky News. Many reported feeling “deeply shocked but also traumatised,” as Irwin Mitchell lawyers noted in a statement after the sentencing.

What Did the Father of a Toddler Say?

The father quoted by The Guardian voiced a sense of systemic failure. He expressed anger that deportation removed the possibility of confronting Lecka in a UK civil court and argued that the priority should have been victim closure rather than removal. His remarks reflected a broader sentiment among affected families that the justice system had not fully addressed their needs.

What Did Irwin Mitchell Lawyers Say?

Irwin Mitchell, the law firm representing several families, said it was supporting clients seeking answers, compensation, and specialist therapeutic support. The firm’s lawyers described the parents as traumatised and said the case had left them struggling to process how such abuse could have gone undetected for so long, despite the presence of CCTV in the nursery.

For readers processing the psychological impact of this case, guidance on understanding the effects of abuse may be helpful. See: Trauma Bond – Signs, Stages and How to Break Free.

What Is the Timeline of the Roksana Lecka Nursery Abuse Case?

1. October 2023: Lecka begins working at Riverside Nursery in Twickenham, west London.
2. October 2023 – June 2024: Lecka abuses 21 babies, including punching, slapping, kicking, scratching, and pinching. Incidents captured on nursery CCTV. Parents notice unusual injuries and bruising in March and May 2024.
3. June 2024: Abuse is discovered, police investigation launched. Lecka is arrested.
4. June 16, 2025: Lecka convicted of multiple counts of child cruelty at a London court. The CPS describes the scale of abuse as “staggering.”
5. September 26, 2025: Sentenced to eight years in prison. Judge describes her actions as “horrendous.” Parents react with audible gasps when CCTV is played in court.
6. February 5, 2026: Lecka is deported to Poland after serving part of her sentence. Parents express frustration and disappointment.

What Remains Unclear About the Roksana Lecka Case?

What Systemic Failures Does the Roksana Lecka Case Reveal?

The case has highlighted critical gaps in nursery safeguarding. Despite the presence of CCTV at Riverside Nursery, Lecka’s abuse continued over nine months without detection by colleagues or management. Parents and legal experts have questioned the adequacy of supervision standards, particularly for agency or temporary staff, and whether background checks were sufficiently rigorous.

The deportation decision also raises complex legal questions. While the UK Borders Act requires the removal of foreign national offenders sentenced to 12 months or more, the process effectively ended the possibility of UK-based civil lawsuits against Lecka and removed any prospect of parole monitoring within Britain. The Home Office’s deportation framework prioritises removal, but critics argue that victim closure should carry greater weight in cases involving multiple young children.

The CPS and Irwin Mitchell have both emphasised the need for stricter oversight in early years settings. The case has prompted calls from families for a parliamentary inquiry or regulatory action by Ofsted, though no formal announcement has been made as of the latest reporting. For readers interested in related mental health topics, see: Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder – How to Spot the Warning Signs.

What Have Officials and Lawyers Said About the Case?

“It feels like the system has let us down again – he’s gone and we can’t even face him in court.”

— Father of a toddler abused by Lecka, as quoted by The Guardian (Feb 2026)

“This was a horrific breach of trust. Lecka systematically abused some of the most vulnerable children in our society.”

— CPS statement, June 2025 (cps.gov.uk)

“The judge described Lecka’s actions as ‘horrendous’ and said she had caused long-lasting harm.”

— BBC News (Sept 2025)

What Does the Roksana Lecka Case Mean for Child Safety?

The case stands as one of the most severe instances of nursery abuse in recent UK history, affecting 21 babies across two settings. It has exposed weaknesses in monitoring, supervision, and the legal aftermath of crimes committed by foreign nationals. Affected families continue to seek answers through civil channels, while campaigners push for reforms to CCTV protocols, staff vetting, and the balance between deportation and victim justice. For those seeking to understand the psychological dynamics of abusive relationships, reading about Trauma Bond – Signs, Stages and How to Break Free may provide additional context on the effects of such experiences.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Roksana Lecka Case