Nursery Worker Exploited Position to Abuse Children
A teenage nursery worker has been sentenced to 15 years in a young offender institution for sexually abusing young boys placed in his care. Thomas Waller, 18, was found guilty of rape, two counts of causing or inciting sexual activity, and taking indecent photographs of children.
The offences took place at a nursery in Surrey during July and August 2024. The establishment cannot be named for legal reasons.
Calculated Abuse and Discovery
Waller systematically used his role to gain the trust of the children and their families. His responsibilities included taking children to the toilet and assisting them if they needed to get changed.
The court heard that Waller had been alone in the toilets with a three-year-old boy, referred to as Child D, shortly after lunch one day in August. His DNA was later discovered on the child's underwear.
Following his arrest, police examined Waller's phone and found indecent images of another boy, known as Child T.
Sentencing him at Guildford Crown Court, Judge Claire Harden-Frost described the case as "heartbreaking". She stated that Waller had sexually abused the boys "within days of being able to supervise children going to the bathroom".
Families' Heartbreaking Impact Statements
The parents of the victims delivered powerful statements detailing the profound trauma caused by Waller's actions.
Child D's father said his son had "gathered a collection of memories that I would never wish on a human being". He lamented that instead of informing his son's new school about simple dislikes, they had to disclose that the child had been raped. He described Waller as "cold, sinister and calculated".
Child D's mother revealed that her son had seen Waller as his "new best friend" at the time of the abuse. She criticised Waller for forcing her son to endure a trial by not pleading guilty, subjecting the family to additional trauma.
The mother of Child T spoke of her initial "shock then confusion" and the guilt she feels for sending her son to the nursery. She expressed fear that the illicit pictures of her son "could be anywhere" and that the memories might resurface to impact him for life.
In mitigation, the defence claimed Waller's offending was a result of "opportunism rather than deliberate isolation" and mentioned he had chosen childcare due to his own childhood experiences. However, he does not accept that he abused the children.
The nursery involved issued a statement saying they were "deeply shocked, saddened and sorry". They confirmed they took immediate action by contacting police, suspending Waller, and co-operating fully with the investigation. A full review of safeguarding policies has since been conducted.
