A young woman working at a nursery, aged 22, has been described as becoming immune to her shocking actions of abusing 21 infants, expert warnings have revealed. Roksana Lecka, residing in Hounslow, West London, confessed to seven counts of cruelty to minors and was found guilty of an additional 14 counts by a jury at Kingston Crown Court in June.
Originally from Poland but moving to the UK at the age of three, Lecka appeared to lead a dual life. Despite portraying a cheerful family image on social media and assisting her mother with caring for her younger siblings, including tasks like potty training and bottle feeding, her abusive behavior went unnoticed.
Even after her crimes were exposed, Lecka’s mother continued to defend her actions, downplaying the severity by stating, “It’s not that bad. She didn’t kill anyone.” However, justice caught up with her as she was sentenced to eight years in prison for multiple acts of child cruelty.
In January 2024, despite lacking any qualifications, Lecka secured a permanent position at Riverside Nursery by presenting three references. Behind her façade of being a helpful daughter, a different side of her character emerged, one that she concealed from those around her.
During the trial, jurors were shown disturbing videos of Lecka physically assaulting young children, including kicking a little boy and pinching a crying girl. Prosecutors highlighted how Lecka would glance at other nursery staff while carrying out her assaults, indicating a calculated approach to her abusive behavior.
Lecka’s crimes were eventually uncovered after parents and staff members noticed bruises and scratches on the children. She was suspended on June 28, 2024, and Metropolitan Police detectives unearthed incriminating CCTV footage from the nursery, confirming her abusive actions.
Dr. Dominic Edwards, a criminologist, provided insights into Lecka’s behavior, emphasizing the complex motivations behind such actions and how perpetrators can exploit trust within childcare settings to evade detection. The case underscores the importance of vigilance and robust safeguarding systems in preventing such abuses.
The court heard emotional victim impact statements from parents during Lecka’s sentencing, expressing their devastation at the harm inflicted on their vulnerable children. The revelations of Lecka’s crimes have sparked outrage and highlighted the need for improved vigilance and accountability in childcare environments.