A London nursery worker, Roksana Lecka, 23, who was jailed for abusing 21 babies, is due to be deported back to Poland this Thursday, February 5th.
Lecka, from Hounslow, was handed an eight-year prison sentence last September after admitting to seven counts of cruelty to children under 16. Jurors convicted her of another 14 counts.
Horrific Abuse Uncovered at Twickenham Nursery
Lecka’s shocking crimes came to light in June 2024 after she was sent home for pinching children at Riverside Nursery in Twickenham, which has since closed. She worked there from January to June 2024.
At Kingston Crown Court, Judge Sarah Plaschkes KC described how Lecka “pinched, slapped, punched, smacked and kicked” babies. She also “pulled their ears, hair and toes” and threw them “headfirst into cots.”
Families Left in the Dark as Deportation Looms
Parents of the abused children were given less than a week’s notice about Lecka’s deportation. They remain anxious about whether she will complete her full sentence or be released early once back in Poland.
Munira Wilson, Liberal Democrat MP for Twickenham, told the Commons: “They fear, if left unsupervised, she will harm many more children. So, can the minister tell the House what the release terms are for Lecka, because those parents deserve answers.”
Official Response and Next Steps
Victims minister Alex Davies-Jones expressed sympathy for the victims and confirmed a Home Office meeting to discuss the case. She said:
“Child abuse is one of the most heinous crimes and it is right that we have the correct support services available for child victims. The sentencing minister is meeting with colleagues in the Home Office today to discuss the needs of this case.”
British police are contacting Polish authorities to inform them about Lecka’s criminal record. A Home Office spokesperson added:
“We will not allow foreign criminals and illegal migrants to exploit our laws. We are reforming human rights laws and replacing the broken appeals system to scale up deportations. All foreign national offenders who receive a prison sentence in the UK are referred for deportation at the earliest opportunity.”
