Parents have thanked the Met Police for "giving them a voice" after a woman who worked at a Twickenham nursery was jailed for abusing babies in her care.

22-year-old Roksana Helena Lecka from Hounslow was sentenced to eight years at Kingston Crown Court today (Friday, 26 September).

She had already been found guilty of 21 counts of child cruelty, having abused infants at two separate nurseries between October 2023 and June 2024.

Detective Inspector Sian Hutchings, from the Met Police's Public Protection Command, said: "The victims in this case are just babies, with the youngest being just 10 months at the time of the offences.

"Something which our officers found shocking throughout this investigation is Roksana's lack of accountability and her inability to explain her unjustifiable actions.

"Thanks to the dedication of our investigation team and partners, this woman will no longer be able to harm children."

CCTV footage from 25 June 2024 shows Lecka vaping near babies' cots at Twickenham Green Montessori (credit: Met Police).

The abuse came to light in June 2024 when nursery staff raised concerns.

CCTV footage later showed Lecka pinching, hitting, shoving, pulling hair, kicking children in the face and even vaping near their cots.

The investigation which saw officers review 300 hours of footage in just 10 days, gathering statements and photos from parents.

Lecka was arrested on 5 July but initially refused to comment. She was charged later in July with multiple counts of child cruelty, actual bodily harm, and attempted grievous bodily harm.

Her convictions cover 21 children, and she is now barred from working with children.

Responding to officer's questions, Lecka (top left) only replied with 'no comment' (credit: Met Police).

Detective Inspector Hutchings praised the parents' courage throughout the case.

She said: "I can't imagine how horrendous it's been to sit in court and listen to the abuse that Lecka inflicted on their children.

"Despite this, they acted with grace and dignity, even recording a thank you video from the children to DC Geoff Boye, DC Eloise Hand, and other partners who supported them.

"They thanked officers for giving their children a voice when they didn't have one."

She added: "These parents trusted Lecka and the nursery staff to care for their children. Lecka abused that trust, and today's sentence holds her accountable.

"I would also like to commend DC Eloise Hand and DS Geoff Boye for their dedication, compassion and attention to detail, which has put this dangerous woman behind bars and protected vulnerable children."