‘F***ing go home’ – Stockport nursery worker jailed after verbally abusing and mishandling children
Mugshot of Rebecca Gregory, jailed for verbally abusing and mishandling children / Credit: GMP
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.”
We’ve helped bring to justice a #Stockport nursery worker who neglected four children in her care
— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) September 2, 2024
Detectives worked through hours of distressing evidence & supporting the victims’ families
Our priority across GM is keeping children & young people safe: https://t.co/KzdE0yGsBj pic.twitter.com/7sbEuPdFp1
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”.
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.
Detective Constable Natalie Pettit, from GMP’s Stockport district, called this a “harrowing investigation”.
“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.
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“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