A London nursery worker has been sentenced to eight years in prison for a series of brutal and sadistic attacks on babies under her care. Roksana Lecka, 22, admitted to seven counts of cruelty to children under 16 and was convicted of an additional 14 counts following a trial. The shocking details of her crimes, described as “gratuitous” and “sadistic” by Judge Sarah Plaschkes, included pinching, slapping, punching, and even kicking infants. In one particularly egregious incident, Lecka repeatedly kicked a young boy in the face. The judge noted that Lecka often targeted children who were quietly minding their own business, inflicting pain deliberately and without provocation. Her actions were captured on nursery CCTV, leading to her arrest in June 2024. During the sentencing at Kingston Crown Court, victim impact statements from parents revealed the profound emotional toll of her actions. One mother described the children as “innocent and vulnerable,” emphasizing their inability to defend themselves or communicate the abuse. Lecka, who blamed her behavior on cannabis addiction, apologized in a letter to the court, claiming the drug had altered her personality. However, she was found not guilty of three additional counts of child cruelty. The case has sparked outrage and raised questions about safeguarding measures in childcare facilities.
