Roksana Lecka, a former nursery worker sentenced to eight years in prison for abusing 21 babies while under the influence of cannabis, is now living freely in Poland after serving just 14 months in British custody. Polish authorities have confirmed that Lecka returned to Warsaw on February 5, but was not detained upon arrival due to the absence of formal international co-operation procedures.
Details of the Crimes
Lecka, 23, was jailed in September 2025 after admitting seven counts of cruelty to a person under 16 and being convicted of 14 further counts. Her abuse occurred between 2023 and 2024 at Riverside Nursery in Twickenham and Little Munchkins in Hounslow, both in west London. Victims included babies as young as ten months. Judge Sarah Plaschkes KC described Lecka's actions as "sadistic," noting she "pinched, slapped, punched, smacked and kicked" children, pulled their ears and hair, and toppled them headfirst into cots.
Early Removal Scheme and Deportation
Lecka was deported to Poland under the UK Government's Early Removal Scheme, which allows foreign national offenders to be removed early from prison. Major Dagmara Bielec of the Polish Nadwislanski Border Guard Unit told local media that Lecka's arrival "did not take place under any of the formal international co-operation procedures in force between Poland and Great Britain." As a result, she was processed under standard entry protocols and released.
Impact on Victims' Families
Parents of the abused children expressed outrage. One father, whose son was abused, told the BBC: "We felt it undermined all that time and emotion that had gone into the trial. ... But then for that sentence not to be served, it was a bit of a hollow feeling." Another parent added that the lack of punishment and unclear rehabilitation made the process "feel slightly pointless."
Political and Legal Responses
Liberal Democrat MP Munira Wilson raised the case in Parliament, writing to the Home Office after learning that Lecka became eligible for deportation on October 7, 2025, just weeks after sentencing. Alex Norris, minister for border security and asylum, stated in a letter: "Whilst Lecka is not required to serve the remainder of her sentence in Poland, we have made Polish law enforcement aware of her convictions." However, Polish authorities reportedly cannot monitor her movements or warn childcare institutions, raising fears she could work with children again.
A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: "These were appalling crimes, and our thoughts remain with the victims and their families. This Government is deporting foreign national offenders at pace, with more than 5,000 deported last year - a 14 per cent increase on the previous year." Lecka, who is banned from returning to the UK, remains free in Poland with her current whereabouts unknown.
