A woman who worked at local nursery has been handed a jail sentence after verbally abusing and mishandling children.
Rebecca Gregory was arrested at home on 14 November 2023 after some evidence came to light during an ongoing investigation into a nursery worker and colleague at Tiny Toes Nursery, in the Cheadle Hulme area of Stockport.
According to Greater Manchester Police (GMP), CCTV analysis identified Gregory committing “deplorable offences of neglect” against four young children.
Police revealed that, on Tuesday 26 April 2022, Gregory was witnessed on CCTV verbally abusing and mishandling the children, pushing a child’s head down, roughly placing a child on the floor, and even threatening to kick a child in the head.
On one occasion, she swaddled a child so tightly that he couldn’t move, and when she saw he was visibly distressed, she forced his head down to prevent him from moving, while on another occasion, she swaddled another child tightly and told him to “f***ing go home.”
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We’ve helped bring to justice a #Stockport nursery worker who neglected four children in her care
Detectives worked through hours of distressing evidence & supporting the victims’ families
From the CCTV footage, police say it was “evident” Gregory’s interactions with the children were “callous” and lacked “proper care and compassion”.
When presented with the evidence in her interview, Gregory did admit her actions against the children, but however claimed the nursery was “understaffed”.
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After admitting to the offences she committed, Gregory pleaded guilty to four counts of wilfully assaulting, ill-treating, neglecting, abandoning, or exposing a child in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering, GMP confirmed.
Gregory appeared at Manchester Crown Court yesterday (2 September 2024), and was handed a three-year jail sentence.
Tiny Toes Day Nursery in Cheadle Hulme, where Rebecca Gregory worked / Credit: Google Maps
Detective Constable Natalie Pettit, from GMP’s Stockport district, called this a “harrowing investigation”.
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“Anyone who hears the details of this investigation cannot fail to be sickened by the careless actions of Rebecca Gregory,” DC Pettit said.
“She knew her actions fell far beyond the correct professional standards, but failed to take any reasonable steps to protect these children.
“This was a harrowing investigation which uncovered several unacceptable behaviours and practices at Tiny Toes Nursery, and it was clear to see that there was a culture of not challenging inappropriate behaviour which ultimately placed several children who were under their care at risk of serious harm.”
Featured Image – GMP
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Sara Cox tipped to replace Scott Mills for Eurovision 2026
Danny Jones
Greater Manchester’s very own Sara Cox is reportedly set to replace Scott Mills at the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest following his sacking from the BBC.
Mills was axed by the news and entertainment corporation on Monday, 1 April, for ‘misconduct’, which has now been revealed to involve a historic relationship with a boy aged under 16.
While the fallout surrounding Scott Mills is only just beginning, the task of finding his replacement in multiple roles has already begun – though it looks like one may have already been decided.
Now reported by multiple outlets, it appears as though Bolton-born Sara Cox is first in line to pick up Mills’ co-hosting duties for this year’s Eurovision show.
Having already been involved with coverage of the event on multiple ocassions in the past, it now appears that she’ll be in post for the Grand Final too.
As a long-standing radio and TV staple, it only takes a quick look at social media to see how much backing she has already received in the past, with a post from last year reading, “Great to have Sara Cox back commentating on Eurovision“, and others from over a decade ago praising her past presenting.
In fact, it might not end just here either, as many are already calling for her to replace the 53-year-old breakfast show host.
From her days as a Radio 1 favourite to becoming a BBC mainstay across the board, her popularity only seems to have grown over the last decade, especially thanks to her charity fundraising efforts.
While an official announcement is yet to be made, the feeling is that it is all but confirmed for her to take over from Mills as part of the Eurovision commentary team.
As for the now vacant early morning slot on BBC Radio 2, the likes of Claudio Winkleman, Vernon Kay, fellow Manc Nick Grimshaw, the aforementioned Rylan, and several others have all been floated as potential stand-ins/future full-time hosts.
Do you think both should be given to Sara Cox, and if not, who would you like to see replace Scott Mills?
Millions of UK workers to get pay rises from today as National Living and Minimum Wage increases
Emily Sergeant
Millions of workers across the UK are set to begin receiving substantial pay rises from today.
After the Government announced back in November that it would take the recommendations made by the Low Pay Commission, and increase both the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage, those changes have now come into force in a bid to ensure people on lower incomes are ‘properly rewarded’ for their work.
If you’re unfamiliar with the Low Pay Commission, it’s an independent body made up of employers, trade unions, and experts whose role is to advise the Government on the minimum wage.
As mentioned, the rate recommendations introduced today were agreed unanimously by the Commission.
This means that the living wage, for eligible workers who are aged 21 and over, has now risen by 4.1% from today to £12.71 an hour.
For a full-time worker, that means a pay increase of £900 a year.
Millions of workers in the UK are getting pay rises from today / Credit: John Kakuk (via Unsplash) | Pexels
The National Minimum Wage rate for workers aged 18 to 20-year-olds has also increased today by 8.5% to £10.85 an hour, and then for 16 to 17-year-olds, and those on apprenticeships, the rate has increased by 6% to £8 an hour.
“The recommendations we made last autumn sought to balance the need to protect the economy and labour market, whilst providing a real-terms increase for the lowest-paid members of society,” commented Baroness Philippa Stroud, who is Chair of the Low Pay Commission.
“A lot has changed since we gave our advice to the Government last autumn, and we are now beginning to gather evidence for recommendations later this year.
“The current economic uncertainty makes it essential that the Commission hears from those affected by the minimum wage and builds consensus for evidence-based recommendations.
Workers aged 21 and over are now legally entitled to the National Living Wage after the age threshold for the highest rate was lowered from 23 in 2024.
National Minimum Wage rates are available to workers aged 16 upwards.
Emily Sergeant -
4th September 2024 
