Nursery worker seen hurting children, jury told

CCTV images of a nursery worker allegedly hurting children at her workplace in south-west London have been shown in court as she faces charges of child cruelty.

Roksana Lecka, 22, from Hounslow, has admitted two charges and denies 21 further offences that allegedly took place between January and June 2024 at the Riverside Nursery in Twickenham.

Opening for the prosecution, Tracy Ayling KC told Kingston Crown Court that there were no apparent safeguarding issues when Ms Lecka was hired by the nursery, which cares for children aged between 10 months and two years.

Her references said she "worked hard and interacted with children", the jury was told.

The jury was told problems arose last summer when CCTV of the baby room appeared to show Ms Lecka repeatedly pinch a child before leaving the area as two other staff member check the infant for red marks.

The court was shown footage the prosecution claims captured Ms Lecka pinching two other children, causing one to cry, and grabbing one of them by the back of the neck.

The crying child was taken away by a colleague.

Injuries to the children included scratches to the face and neck, and pinch marks to their inner legs and stomach, the jury heard.

Ms Lecka, who also faces a single charge of cruelty relating to another location, sobbed in court as the indictment was read out.

The court was told nursery staff will later give evidence. The trial continues.

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