A nursery worker who was imprisoned for abusing 21 babies is scheduled to be deported from the United Kingdom to Poland later this week, sparking significant concerns among parents and political figures regarding her potential release and future supervision.
Deportation Details and Legal Proceedings
It is understood that Roksana Lecka, aged 23, will be deported on Thursday, February 5, following her eight-year prison sentence imposed in September 2025. She pleaded guilty to seven counts of cruelty to a person under the age of 16 and was convicted by jurors of an additional 14 counts related to her abusive actions at Twickenham Green Nursery.
Once she arrives in Poland, her treatment and any continued incarceration will become a matter for Polish authorities, as confirmed by official statements. British police are reportedly making efforts to contact Polish authorities to ensure they are fully aware of Lecka’s extensive offending history and the severity of her crimes.
Parental Concerns and Political Intervention
Munira Wilson, the Liberal Democrat MP for Twickenham, raised the issue in the House of Commons, highlighting a lack of transparency and communication with the parents of the abused children. She stated that these parents were given less than a week’s notice about the deportation and have received no information on whether Lecka will serve the remainder of her sentence in Poland or be released prematurely.
"They fear, if left unsupervised, she will harm many more children," Wilson told the Commons, urging the minister to provide clear answers about the release terms for Lecka to ensure justice and safety for the victims and their families.
Government Response and Policy Context
In response, victims minister Alex Davies-Jones expressed her thoughts and sympathies to all victims of what she described as "one of the most heinous crimes." She assured that the sentencing minister is meeting with Home Office colleagues to discuss the specifics of this case and will provide a full update as requested.
A Home Office spokesperson declined to comment directly on Lecka’s case but reiterated the government’s stance on deporting foreign criminals. "We will not allow foreign criminals and illegal migrants to exploit our laws," the spokesperson said, noting ongoing reforms to human rights laws and the appeals system to facilitate more deportations. The spokesperson added that all foreign national offenders receiving prison sentences in the UK are referred for deportation at the earliest opportunity.
Background of the Crimes
Lecka’s abusive behaviour was uncovered in June 2024 after she was sent home from Riverside Nursery in Twickenham for pinching several children. The nursery has since closed its doors. She worked at the nursery school between January and June 2024, during which time she committed numerous acts of cruelty.
At Kingston Crown Court last year, Judge Sarah Plaschkes KC detailed the extent of Lecka’s abuse, which included:
- Pinching, slapping, punching, smacking, and kicking children
- Pulling their ears, hair, and toes
- Toppling them headfirst into cots
This case has underscored the importance of robust child protection measures and effective international cooperation in handling such serious offences, particularly when they involve cross-border elements and the potential for reoffending.
